Inside Jihad: How Radical Islam Works, Why It Should Terrify Us, How to Defeat It

by Tawfik Hamid

Why has radical Islam become such a deadly threat? And why does it dominate the Muslim world? A quarter-century ago, Tawfik Hamid was recruited into Jamaa Islamiya, a terror group led by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the man who replaced Osama bin Laden to become the leader of al-Qaeda. Eventually and miraculously, Dr. Hamid recognized the insidious nature of violent jihad and rejected its distortions of the Quran, the holy book of the Muslim faith. Ever since, he has pursued a path of reformation within Islam by writing new interpretations of the book’s key texts and by sharing his message in mosques. Inside Jihad reveals Dr. Hamid’s insights about the Islamic terror movement drawn from his personal experiences. As a medical doctor and a psychologist, he helps readers understand the jihadist mindset. He also explains the meaning of jihad and the role that sex, petrodollars and the hijab for women play in its proliferation. And he details his bold plan for Islamic reformation that would eventually change the minds of jihadists and stop their reign of terror.

Genres: Islam, Nonfiction, Terrorism

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2008

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author , Dr Tawfix Hamid who personally gave me the book. It is a disturbing read. He starts with his own narrative, how an upper class youth raised in a secular , educated home was turned to join an Al -Queda like organization. He describes how suicide bombers are shaped. He explains how the moderate values of Islam and the messages of peace found in the Koran have been trumped by later writings - including authoritative Hadiths. this book, written from the inside of a dangerous mind set is an essential read

[Holderofthemt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read to understand the mindset of Islamism and how to deal with it.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read from a very different perspective than what I normally read. I don't agree with everything he said, nonetheless it's worth looking at this situation from various points of view.

[Monita Mehra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me an overall view of how Islam is radicalised and how to recognise the beginning of families who are going the radical way from a person who has been through the same and knows the pitfalls and evils behind the phenomenon.
I notice that families are making their girls who are 2 to 2.5 years wear the hijab these days and they don't think there is anything wrong with it, it is more prominent in educated families and I noticed a doctor's 3 year old daughter wearing one and was shocked to notice the same. I was wondering the mindset of parents who were expecting this from a 3 year old child, they have taken away her freedom and free will from day one but this book opens another view to the matter.
Well written on the complete cycle that a recruit goes through and how the entire radicalisation works and time the world accepts that this exists and finds ways to address the problem and nib it where it is instead of encouraging the same.
I realise it is encouraged in many countries for political gain or favours and most aren't realising that their attitudes and media are creating a monster that will be difficult to address. Keeping world population in mind and Radical Islamic leaders mindset of ruling the world and converting most to Islam, it is very dangerous fire that world leaders and media are playing with and time they should recognise and start speaking against as in many countries they are trying to encourage Sharia law into main stream.