[Thread]

What British intelligence (MI5) said about Islamic terr0rists, based on several hundred individuals known to be involved in, or closely associated with, violent extremist activity.

These terr0rists:
1- Are far from from being religious zealots.

2- Largely do not practice their faith regularly.

3- Lack religious literacy and could actually be regarded as religious novices.

4- Haven't been brought up in strongly religious households.

Some of these terr0rists are involved in:
1- Drug-taking [HARAM]
2- Drinking alcohol [HARAM]
3- Visiting prostitutes [HARAM]

MI5 also says:
1- A well-established religious identity actually protects against violent radicalization.

2- The influence of RADICAL EXTREMIST CLERICS in radicalizing British terrorists has moved into the background in recent years.

3- UK-based terrorists are as ethnically diverse as the UK Muslim population.

4- Assumptions can't be made about suspects based on skin color, ethnic heritage or nationality.

5- The majority of terr0rists over 30 years of age have steady relationships & most have children. This challenges the idea that terrorists are young men driven by SEXUAL FRUSTRATION and lured to "MARTYRDOM" by the promise of beautiful VIRGINS waiting for them in paradise.

6- Those involved in British terr0rism are not unintelligent or gullible, and nor are they more likely to be well-educated; their educational achievement ranges from total lack of qualifications to degree-level education. However, they are almost all employed in low-grade jobs.

7- Around 50% of these terr0rists were born in the UK, with others migrating here later in life. Some fled traumatic experiences & oppressive regimes & claimed UK asylum, but more came to the UK to study or for family or economic reasons & were radicalized many years later.

8- These results "challenge many of the stereotypes that are held about who becomes a terrorist and why".

References:
1- The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/aug/20/uksecurity.terrorism1