Inside the mind of a former radical jihadist | Manwar Ali

[@craigzilla100]

Only an intelligent person who had the ability to self reflect, has the capacity to escape such strong indoctrination.. most people are not this strong, which is why the crisis continues.

[@drnishantkathale5122]

What if he wasn't indoctrinated into this death cult? What if his parents were Mormons, agnostics or atheists? Then clearly he wouldn't have become a terrorist!

[@nitishsingh8679]

Stop justifying the terrorist you fool. He killed many innocents, and your comment sounds like he did the right thing{!

[@Pintkonan]

well, lets talk about another crisis, which is even bigger. indoctrination by television and written media. only an intelligent person who has the ability to self reflect, has the capacity to escape such strong indoctrination. 99% of people are idiots.

[@drnishantkathale5122]

@Sakuraxrox1 Not a single one of them was a NON muslim!!!

[@drnishantkathale5122]

@Sakuraxrox1 Exactly my point. It's not about race or nationality but, it's about religion

[@trinidadraj152]

I am speechless. The only word that comes to mind for me now, is love. I deeply appreciate this man sharing what he does here.

[@glenben92]

all sides of conflict could learn a lot from this sort of reflection. respect to this guy for doing this.

[@BlueEchoe5]

I haven't even started watching and I know this is going to get deep!

[@cameronmiller6240]

A very moving talk. I liked his call for more human values. As an atheist though I can't help but wish he had given up on the idea of jihad altogether, rather than trying to re interpret it (however nobly his intentions). As long as holy books and concepts like jihad exist we will always be at the mercy of interpretation. For those who love life this is intolerable.

[@memoryhero]

I'll take his version of jihad over a terrorist's version any day of the week. But I don't think for a moment it is somehow the "true" version for any reason other than the civilized world needs it to be now.

[@858dadadave858]

What do you think is the really true version of jihad?

[@k3nny111]

There is no true version. It is a made-up concept of which there are instances spread around in the minds of different people. It is not like a law of physics, there is no true version of an artificial concept.

[@EyalYablonka]

memoryhero I agree. Jihad is violent, no matter what few Muslims try to make it seem otherwise. Most interpreters of Jihad are taking it to violence and death. Islam is not a religion of peace if you overview its history.

[@memoryhero]

Eyal Yablonka No, you don't agree with me, because what you said and what I said are not the same thing.

[@EyalYablonka]

memoryhero this is my view nevertheless, and history and current affairs agree with me.

[@elijahagui6589]

We need some more people like him and this would really give us an idea of what goes on in these people's mind.

[@grahampalmer]

It takes a brave man to recognise his mistakes and an even braver one to voice them. Perhaps telling the story of his journey will disuade a few from following his previous and eronous path.

[@sarahjaelynn5074]

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[@ArtArtisian]

+

[@Frautcres]

*

[@ramigalaxy3833]

I see the best effect that this story would have is to make all my follow humans in the West with the superior mentality UNDERSTAND what is the mentality of a Jihadist...it's no different than any of your leaders and presidents ! whenever there is aggression you'll find counter-aggression... that's the law of the nature! Keep in mind that all the places he went to were invaded by Russia, the US, or other countries, and he witnessed the atrocities they done to his people, if any of you were in his place trust me many would turn out to become Jihadists. don't mistake me for a supporter of aggression, no I'm a peace seeker, I'm just directing the blame justly with the big burden on the aggressive than the counter-aggressive. I think this is a wake up call for your minds before it is a wake up call for the Jihadists... STOP THE AGGRESSION

[@renuadhikari1674]

Frautcres

[@Drako1777]

At several points in the video you can momentarily hear his emotions really act up. This guy's been through a lot and has done a lot of reflection. Great talk.

[@ceasefire2825]

Clint Jackson why should he do that?

[@Uhlersoth77]

Clint Jackson Some people actually don't like bacon or ham. Or they're vegetarian/vegan. Or they're Jewish. I never understood why this was a thing people latched onto. Why the obsession with pork? That may very well be the most ridiculous way to criticize Muslims, in any context.

[@mechmagazine9019]

Jihad is jihad and it is mean in kuran go out fight with non muslims for the creating allah's rules which delivered with kuran. So does not matter what hiw believers think, feel or want see it is the violence of the world.

[@l12al61]

MECH MAGAZINE . seems lyk u failed to get the gist of the talk. ur kind of ideology is what hes talking about from his past experiences .....that ' he once thought jihad was meant to be violence' , much like what u r thinking now. but he was wrong.

[@terrawulf]

MECH MAGAZINE i pity your ignorance.

[@seanstrickland4970]

"while studying in the UK i was radicalized" that should be the biggest message here.

[@Gracchi]

ye the Saudi backed wahabi mosques, brainwash our citizens.

[@YA-hm5zy]

@@Gracchi Its usually amongst younger people, most these guys get run out of the mosques. So in campuses or in their study circles do they radicalise.

[@AFA111]

UK is doomed, epicenter of future terrorism.

[@Gracchi]

@@YA-hm5zy so its no win, as both these ideologies come from the same place.

[@caliphalifpietyhaya6046]

@@Gracchi don't forget the injustice and war of terror you people have unleashed

[@dreidyoussef6261]

This should be translated into Arabic

[@jinyow5581]

True !

[@warb_of_fire]

There's an Arabic transcript here: www.ted.com/talks/manwar_ali_inside_the_mind_of_a_former_radical_jihadist/transcript

[@LostFelidae]

Arabic is listed on the captions, amongst 20-ish other languages. Seems working, but I cannot control the accuracy.

[@TheHamoody100]

@@LostFelidae it's accurate

[@dannyboahhh9944]

As if it would help

[@maiaoursun3991]

Yeah .... Watching this video without headphones in Israel is a bad idea.

[@ShoroukA]

Lol!

[@Pleaseunderstand]

RIP

[@maiaoursun3991]

Haha

[@chaymaeel844]

hhh what happened?

[@omernnnn]

Why?

[@Pssst.ByTheWay]

That was damn brave. well done.

[@mikeg90]

Peter Keiffenheim he is a con man using AL taqqiya on you

[@sickregret]

Mike G you are the problem.

[@oisinosborne2852]

Mike G he a lot braver that a keyboard warrior like you.

[@exocet8834]

It would be brave to leave that sick cult completely not just to admit to one of its many disgusting realities

[@fahadnaushad4557]

Mike G Taqiya is fucken forbidden in Islam 😂

[@Dealwithit515]

Did nobody else watch this staring at his beard the whole time? It's... it's... fucking glorious.

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

it kinda reminds me of a cloud with the moon behind

[@FrozzenCoffee]

Dunecat his beard triggers me. I have to close my eyes otherwise this video is unbearable to watch.

[@seongates]

+Yarbloco Good description

[@nyhyl]

Dunecat Glorious? It's way to thin!

[@dimplesocktickletit7189]

nyhyl only 7 hairs had the willpower to grow down to his chest

[@masamune2984]

“There is no greater joy in the eyes of God, than that of the mistaken, reformed.” Thank you, Mr. Ali., for your bravery in confronting such a tumultuous past, and sharing your lessons learned though education and wisdom, instead of violence and bloodshed.

[@elrich500]

I dint think using the word god is the best thing here remember they using that term too

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

It takes a person of honesty, courage and dignity to look into the mirror and not only recognize you are wrong but also taking it to the public and telling about how wrong your way of thinking used to be....

[@imserdar]

Especially when your way of thinking in the past led to many deaths.

[@rainbowjam6460]

To err is human but to forgive is divine. May we have the grace to know what is wrong from what is right. To know when we are being dragged in one direction and when our hearts and soul is screaming out loud again such decision. Everyone is looking for enlightenment and greater knowledge but we need to ask ourselves if we have the right to stop others in their journey? How can you attain your path and wisdom if you spend all your time stopping others.

[@rodgerwallace199]

gorilla What if this arsehole has killed civillians?

[@reece1058]

Dr. Leldon Koothrapolowitz You're a idiot

[@angelfebus1732]

Dr. Leldon Koothrapolowitz your second point is valid. It takes into account the complexities of reality. Your first point does not share that same understanding. It is simplistic.

[@user-hx1nr9ru1p]

To anyone thinking of watching - this is a great talk.

[@ArtArtisian]

+

[@LasManzanasMordidas]

.

[@G3N3S1S08]

Adi thanks for not leaving a racist comment and more of a positive one especially with all the hatred and misconceptions going around

[@ramigalaxy3833]

+NizzyMode and thank you for thanking him and encouraging the peace ✌ this is the true Jihad (as the Prophet calls it The Big Jihad (civil) (as apposed to the Small Jihad which is war)

[@MichaelNoon]

Rami Galaxy thank you for thanking him for thanking him

[@Destro7000]

I'm mesmerised by how transparent his beard is. It's like glass with webbing on it.

[@MattMontana-jk4ro]

Destro7000 IK RIGHT lol he needs to shave it

[@Destro7000]

nah he's fine. It's just interesting, lol

[@anonInDE]

Before I read this, I didn't notice it. Now I can't unsee it!!!

[@berthold64]

He looks like straight out from medieval era.

[@mia2362]

youd think it would be as thick and voluminous as his hair.. but no

[@deanhunt2691]

The world needs more people like him to speak out against extremism...

[@LeoBurca]

"I developed a more nuanced understanding... The importance of self knowledge and political awareness" As he says "he got in touch with his soul" because that's where the true doctrine of love and compassion can be found. Peace to all.

[@hasan3545]

I am utterly disgusted by the comments section in this video. This is a man who experience the terrors of war at an early age and have gotten along with a bad crowd. He is human, and he saw his mistakes. There are many who know what they are doing is wrong but dont want to admit it. Not everything is black and white. There are reasons for everything, people follow a different path based on their experiences. It is horrible that radicals think killing others is justified and the world is cruel. But it is their experiences that made them perceive the world in this way.

[@elliotlemon8402]

Hasan yeah, it really is a shame... sadly ive seen way worse in the comment section on Ted, im actually almost suprised at the Low amount of islamophobic comments.

[@hittman1412]

agreed, there need to be more like him and Maajid Nawaz.

[@hittman1412]

Eternal entropy "mr. muslim" lol

[@Chamelionroses]

Cults , gangs, and human animals grouping to fight happens. Many humans don't naturally have critical thinking skills. The internet provides this evidence.

[@jennismeltzer3085]

Jennifer Isaacs yes! He was exposed to extreme trauma as a child and then manipulated by very dangerous and evil people. Now he has the courage to admit what happened and that he was wrong. He was a victim of his environment and being in this situation most people would do as they had been conditioned. It takes a special man to break free from the brainwashing inflicted upon him. I have the upmost respect for this man.

[@sabgyl08]

Such pure vulnerability. The kind of courage that must have made this man. 12 year old in '71 Bangladesh witnessing humanity at its worst. Self teaching himself, his father, an academician in jail. 25-28, youthful, radicalised in mid-80s, in a college in England, words mightier than sword! And at 41, y2k- awoken from his circumstantial slumber. We need to open up as a society for those who have been to the other side to reform and educate, be it antisemitism, Islamic fundamentalism or any form of extremism. This video is a message of hope for humanity.

[@ivorystinkershack3422]

You haven't listened to what he said if you put Antisemitism into the same category as what you call Islamic fundamentalism, but could have called Terrorist Groups.

[@honestsignalz]

"Refuse dogmatic authority." Yes!

[@PianoRootsMusic]

As a Christain I'm very glad that he was able to stick to his faith while letting go of the violent interpretations

[@hatboxghost735]

Piano Roots Music That is because you are a true Christian, we are all brothers and sisters. Somewhere we let people above us tell us we aren’t.

[@ycylchgames]

Good for you, your a truly moral person and this world needs more people like you.

[@bbdd4972]

Piano Roots Music there is no violence like terrorism in Islam

[@Qball42]

Piano Roots Music I agree. I'm a Christian as well, but, through the whole talk, I was sincerely hoping he hadn't quit believing in Islam.

[@abdurehmansiddiqui1635]

Islam is not a violent religion even those verses that seems to be violent are actually wrongly interpreted . Even the versus in surah "Tauba" which a lot of people use for making Islam look bad but if you go in details of it and see its explanation that ( why they were revealed and for what people they were revealed ) you will notice that there is nothing wrong with them . try to read Quran with explanation(tafseer) so that you get the clear picture. some people are trying really hard to wrongly portray islam while it is beautiful and gives you the way of life, it frees your soul ..

[@boyertb]

I just wanted to give him a hug by the end of his talk.

[@Seeked5000]

nickname checks out

[@christophercombs7561]

Courts Griner the fact that he thought killing people was ok at all is sad i hope the speaker feels bad now and for all time if people would just leave everyone else alone that would be ideal and religion is the largest driving factor in human rights violations *leave other people alone*

[@christophercombs7561]

Courts Griner i feel obligated to ask if you dont take your religion seriously why bother? for most people it seems its a absolute fear of death and a dramatically overinflated sense of cosmic self worth

[@discojelly]

Christopher, Thats a good Christopher. Here is how I look at it: After my fathers passing and having a "spiritual visit from him" one that helped quit smoking since he passed from lung cancer. My dad was not a big church goer and certainly was not perfect.. yet I know that he is in a good place now. God, Jesus and being Christian is simply something that help get me through tough times in life in spiritual way. It really doesn't matter what we all believe.. no matter how different.. we all want the same thing which is to lead a good life and be looked after when we leave this world. When I say I don't take religion that seriously, what mean is that it is MY journey and those different from me should not labeled "enemy" thus doing harm to others, if they don't follow the same spiritual path. By doing so.. then I have fallen prey to the same thing this man did when he became radicalized.

[@christophercombs7561]

Courts Griner ok so ignoring the attempt at condescension your "spiritual" experience is a common grief reflex the this is a manifestation of the fear of death so the death of your own blood to quit smoking even though you knew the risks and you watched you own father die to it well that is some dedication to self harm and a counterintuitive drive to shorten your life my life experience is most definitely different i am an only child of a divorced mother my mother didn't smoke however the rest of the parents drank and smoked near constantly and as a result my house was clean didn't smell we also had both cable and central air and this is in the mid 90's in this regard i associated smoking and drinking with less cool things for everyone in your home i have seen smoking kill people and drinking demolish families so many people commit to these "pass times" knowing full well the results expecting a different outcome which is the definition of insanity i try to live a good life knowing that one day I will not be here once im dead i can no longer impact my small world in a positive and meaningful way

[@mr.seanburk200]

i feel so bad for this man, he is the teen victim of war that he wishes to save.. its awful.. just so sad

[@kieraquinn2518]

Am I the only one who noticed how similar the message used to radicalize these kids is to American military recruitment ads?

[@jarheadv7532]

Kiera Hoffman True.

[@varan22]

Am I the only one who noticed how you pointed out American military recruitment methods, like there is any county in the world, who's military are using different approach?

[@858dadadave858]

Read an issue of Dabiq and see if you still think that.

[@pwp545r6]

Kiera Hoffman HEY LOOK I THINK AMERICA IS EVIL AM I SMART NOW GUYS?!?!!?!

[@davidkinoshita704]

PWP545 well you obviously are not.

[@1rage17]

When he did that big breath after telling how those young boys begged to join him in the UK. That's how you know the true reason why he changed his outlook.

[@whynot-vq2ly]

he said "approach the word "life" with love". this summaries it all. a great talk.

[@zaintalha5014]

Do you ever loved the cruel?!! Then what is the definition of love

[@riyad7728]

the comments are so racist and Islamophobic and full of ignorant people who didn't understand the point of the video and missed the whole message of love and unity its really sad what a shame

[@benisbiengepic]

Islamophobic is a stupid word, please don't use it, it has no coherent meaning.

[@PseudonymPersona]

Riyad Karim Islam isn't a race dumbass

[@riyad7728]

Pseudonym Persona thank you for proving that i was right 👍

[@benisbiengepic]

but it is not, you chose to be Muslim and a race is something you are born into

[@SerenityReceiver]

To me he seems off. Can't believe him.

[@Shamballa432]

He forgot to turn up the transparency slider for his beard when he created his character.

[@Threegnito]

MadnZz omg 😂🤣🤣

[@sunmoon2225]

Saodinndinn Naobinnbinn Oh yeah, totally relevant to this comment...

[@osamahasanain1647]

MadnZz lol😂 he like to think that we are living in Mohamad era when grooming wasn't really that much important, this make him one step closer to the heaven 😅😅

[@thebaphomet9436]

MadnZz best comment iv ever read on any thing

[@youdontneedtoreadthis]

MadnZz yes! finally the comment i wanted to see!

[@radixdol]

This story should be included in School Syllabi to increase awareness!!

[@gaminglegend]

The majority of Ted Talks should be part of the school curriculum, there are many things you can learn from watching them

[@admiralgeneralAladeen]

Rather Madarasa syllabus

[@axa3547]

I'm a Muslim i agree

[@tequilatyrant3992]

Are you expecting them to play this at sliit ravindu? 😂 And hi, remember me?

[@dionysusfall2738]

Maybe the true jihad was all the friends we made along the way...

[@anaslotfi4025]

Lmfao!

[@acheybones588]

I fucking love this.

[@firephoenix8192]

Lmao,reminds me of mainstream Anime lel

[@thememe986]

If they survived lol

[@tasinal-hassan8268]

Memri TV gang.

[@Cronuz2]

"they don't know true Islam" "they don't know true christianity" The issue is blind and idiotic belief in a religion.

[@dmsviola1]

oaaserud I will never understand why some people choose to believe that all of the world's evils would disappear overnight if religion was abolished. News flash: It wouldn't.

[@NanoLT]

Obviously all of them wouldn't, but we would have a massive boom in research funding and less conflict.

[@duckdumbsmartpplimnotbored5175]

+Nano LT keep on dreaming, sparkie

[@WyCris13]

LilyLaya no one has ever said that, only many conflicts would be abolished... the same would be true if everyone lived under the same religion, if everyone had the same interpretation of that religion (which is impossible in itself, whereas atheism is not open to interpretation, it's about rationalism, which is purely objective) and I blame no one in believing in a religion, or trying to convert me. I do not know there is no god, nor do I say I do, but I know it to be more likely there is none, than there is one

[@dmsviola1]

WyCris13 Then you're not the demographic I'm talking about. The original comment specifically says that religion itself is the problem, which it is not. As for no one ever saying that... if you hang out on the internet as much as I do and engage in conversations like this you tend to see very illogical arguments on both sides.

[@MrBorz06]

you can't even imagine how hard is it to let go all of the anger formed from injustice... He is a truly great person!

[@ZRTLRANC-xx3oq]

so are all the other remorseful murderers in that are rotting in prison I guess.. you agree? sure ya do.

[@ZRTLRANC-xx3oq]

He’s not a great person, he’s just another normal guy who finally matured and started thinking for himself. Unfortunate before that happend he was led down the wrong road. JUST LIKE SO MANY OTHER YOUTH

[@nathanbruce1992]

@@ZRTLRANC-xx3oq many never grow up to see beyond themselves and gain true compassion.

[@silentkvt666]

He is Bangladeshi. America and Britain never bomb Bangladeshi. So what is he suffering?? He is only here to preach Islam.

[@Orbital_Smack]

@@silentkvt666 you sound like a lower human...

[@coreydoyle4702]

A beautiful piece of introspection and redemption. I hope more violent radicals learn these virtues and use their power to contribute to their communities, instead of decimate it. I'd also like to point out that a religious mind is almost empirically more vulnerable to radicalization than one of reason.

[@nakedsoul5895]

Whether you take the path of the Heart (Faith) or the path of the Mind (Reason) both will lead to truth. Each path comes with its own inherent dangers. The Heart by itself will experience the sharpness of Mind. The Mind by itself will experience the emptiness of the Heart. The wise take the middle path and use both reason and faith.

[@ArtArtisian]

+

[@858dadadave858]

Religious faith means belief in propositions of the religion. It is not a use of the heart, it is a perversion of the mind.

[@mohamdasim]

an ignorant mind is what you mean. Islam is a religion of science and reason.

[@coreydoyle4702]

Mohammad Asim A religion of science and reason is a self-contradiction. Though the Middle East has a proud history of intellectual accomplishments, that's long in the past now. Religious fueled ignorance has taken over in the wake of struggle. This will happen regardless of the religion.

[@darkknight5942]

Looking at the comment section, it is easy to spot who learned for this talk and who didn't.

[@assailant8722]

Right? You see people talking about how he’s done horrible things and they can’t forgive him, but that’s not the point. No one, not even him, is asking for forgiveness. Simply understanding. The people who are talking about how evil and unforgivable he is are the exact people who need to be paying attention: not because they don’t forgive him, that’s understandable, but because they are falling exactly into the trap he managed to escape from: facing difference with hatred instead of learning and reflection

[@nm.3178]

Derck Layja Islam is the true religion. ☪️💕 I feel very sorry for you. Your islamophobic mindset won’t get you anywhere in life so I suggest you get rid of it. Visit your local mosque and take a look, you see people praying to God while the Quran is playing, it is exceptionally peaceful. You’re just simply brainwashed. By 2070 islam will be the largest religion in the world.

[@muhammadaiman6713]

@Derck Layja lol tajweed is the way to recite the quran properly So what if you have and know the tajweed but you got no essence(knowledge) from the words in the quran

[@muhammadaiman6713]

@Derck Layja Lol, there is no whatsoever of mercy killing in islam I bet you are that type of person who watch fox channel daily

[@jessmendez_1995]

Everyone's talking about his beard but no one is talking about that beautifully shampooed hair 😍

[@joelbarker9989]

Jess Nolan lol..maybe its maybelline

[@bbdd4972]

Jess Nolan 😂 this comment is funny

[@UriahD85]

Wtf

[@jennybarrett5835]

That's probably the most irrevelant point. Well done

[@vapefiend1813]

Jess Nolan damn I didn’t even notice

[@Mindmatterspod]

Love is the answer.

[@ImNoctica]

robin kd I love money

[@kingexplosionmurder9765]

Love is the key

[@superdreamify]

No it's not. Logical thought and reasoning is. Loving your enemies will only kill you, not bring forth a resolution.

[@ImNoctica]

Inesa K but muh identity politics!

[@kiutpi]

Inesa K it's easy to love your friends, but much harder to love your enemies.

[@danstuart2872]

That must have been tough. A brave man.

[@bestmedever]

His beard is transparent, lol 😁

[@venkatmanoj5737]

Mohamed Mokrane he too

[@k3nny111]

His beard is a ghost. He originally shot his beard for breaking Ramadan.

[@stlimpbizkit]

Mohamed Mokrane Great observation sir.

[@mraj8372]

haha

[@kingkong2964]

Mohamed Mokrane lol

[@allanregista4422]

Im a Moslem, for me Jihad is when I help, work and dying for my wife, family and the other that needed my help as God told us to. Not killing people.

[@redexpizza1657]

liar

[@Asterite]

@@redexpizza1657 .

[@rajs8552]

Liar

[@Asterite]

@@rajs8552 get a life

[@WinterIshere-tf5id]

Jihad means Allohuoakbaar boom boom boom

[@oddlilbird]

So moving! This man has been through, seen, lost, and gained so much, and here he is talking about creating love and beauty in the world. I’m grateful he exists, and I’m grateful that he’s sharing his story with the world.

[@goth_dude6874]

No he is pure evil just because he says he regrets it he still did it

[@JustOneAsbesto]

He's got a nice suit.

[@stlimpbizkit]

JustOneAsbesto yep it does fall very nicely

[@HaristheBosniak]

Castaneda its a mic not a mole 😂

[@GeraldSmallbear]

Gotta love freedom of expression in the west....Oh wait. ...

[@106timo]

respect that you dare telling this. you can now tell the truth with your story. my depth of respect

[@Vikingshop]

TIMO 106 - so you "Respect" people who are lying? This guy is leaving THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF VERSES DEMANDING MUSLIMS TO TERRORIZE AND KILL NON-MUSLIMS OUT...!

[@samuelwithers2221]

maria johannesen He's preaching peace, kindness, and open mindedness. Even if those verses do exist, he's not following them.

[@usamaiqbal3143]

@@Vikingshop Those very few verses are taken out of context. They are for a specific time and specific group of people. In fact killing a single soul, Muslim or non-Muslim is equivalent to killing the whole humanity, in Islam. Peace, my brother...

[@YUE3899]

@@usamaiqbal3143 you don't need to read a book to know that

[@WMfin]

"When we ignore the realities, we discover that we accept that we are told without critical reflection." Sounds like the current rise of populism, nationalism and right wing.

[@dmsviola1]

WMfin The same can easily be said of radical leftism in some cases. Everyone is capable of wrongdoing

[@TedKidd]

WMfin it's not the right/left issue. Slow down, if you can, and think. Terrorists live on all sides. They are created by the experiences he shares. It's the "completely marginalized and ignored" that turn to violence. When you take away people's voices, they feel all they have are their fists.

[@nicklocascio9326]

Sounds like the current rise of progressivism, narcissistic hypocritical liberalism and left wing

[@freezatron]

Nick LoCascio the left are in the early stages of grief, mostly shock, denial and anger :)

[@ImNoctica]

WMfin that exact quote is why the left self destructed. The right has won in the US and is winning in the U.K. Because the left is doing exactly that. Collectivism is not liberalism, and the left is becoming more and more of a collective

[@joy4229]

"While I endlessly preached my beliefs, I didn't gave doubt its rightful place." worth reiterating. Ideas and beliefs can be very powerful.

[@arnavrawat9864]

This man has gone through a more difficult revolution than you and i have had.

[@Sahilbc-wj8qk]

L

[@ashleyfromresidentevil4618]

You don't know me

[@OPgrits]

@@ashleyfromresidentevil4618 ok relax eminem

[@spacepirate4623]

You mean character growth

[@darrellchia1614]

Who thought the mic was a mole hands up

[@Mrbfgray]

You need a bigger screen.

[@hatboxghost735]

Darrell Chia You have no depth perception, get an eye exam

[@muhammadrashid804]

Me, thanks for the comment.

[@saifulhaque4804]

Me too .. ignore the stupid comments and thanks for the comment

[@lamaelcharif1523]

This is all really nice. I wish a moderate well educated muslim, would stand on the TED stage and talk about us, "The muslim nation". I don't like how this small group of extremists gets the spot light and most attention. They don't represent us. It is really annoying!!!

[@DemHighTimes]

yeah, because Islam is the religion of peace. It's actually the religion of conquering and enslavement. Do you know which single person is responsible for the most deaths in the world? Mohammed. He and his followers have killed more than 1 billion people. You all are the same, just not as crazy.

[@lamaelcharif1523]

+Donald Trump Seems to me that you don't know the main reason behind the fights, that Mohammad led. Back in those days, the muslims suffered from discrimination and oppression, for their beliefs. After 13 years of turning the other cheek and putting up with torture and ridicule, God gave believers the permission to defend themselves. So the main cause for fighting was freedom of belief. Nowadays we live in a world, where there is, freedom of speech and belief. So there is no reason, whatsoever, for fighting. Everybody is free in his own mind. As long as we live together in harmony.

[@Shockguey]

And by "defend themselves" you mean "kill, rape and pillage"

[@dogguy8603]

ExplosiveGamesTV like the Shias in Iran who are hanging gay people from cranes, forcing women to wear burkas, and finding terrorists such as Hamas and Hezbollah, look I don't have a problem with Muslims, for the most part the ones from Western nations are lovely people, I have a problem with Islam and until it undergoes a reformation I will take it with a grain of salt

[@freezatron]

right, as if you know better what shiites are than shiites themselves do... despite them choosing to identify as muslims and adhering to quranic teachings ..... allah snackbar ....

[@iamthenati]

Best thing I've seen on this channel in a while

[@mixera6077]

🔴If you think jihad is wrong... Islam also wrong... 👌👌 Proud ex-muslim

[@ksbalajibalaji]

Ultimately, it boils down to the unfortunate fact that without Islam the world would be more peaceful. This much for the great religion.

[@ksbalajibalaji]

@zuhair algadi Please see around us . What is going on around the planet now? 😂 Please repeat the question to yourself. You, yourself would get the answer.

[@ksbalajibalaji]

@zuhair algadi Sincerely, it wasn't this bad. Was it?

[@skybite95]

Beautiful. I admire how he was able to pull himself away from terrorism seeing how influential and powerfully enticing their idea of jihad is. More poeple need to know about true jihad and what it really mean. :)

[@curiouskid1547]

"we talked so much about virtue that we gave ourselves no chance to make a virtuous character." That's cruel irony.

[@TXejas19]

i listen to this and realize my problems are small. i can't imagine being a child brought up in war and then try to reset my own mind

[@kiamike163]

This man is different...while others of his past might of been claiming they are preaching gods message.. He actually got the message...

[@robertengroff5112]

"what is a good man but a bad mans teacher?" "what is a bad man but a good mans job?" - Lao Tzu

[@bon12121]

Stephen Mitchels translation is technically not a translation, rather an enmeshing of existing translations.

[@wiederganger1959]

Tao Te Ching is wisdom, but in this particular case a very important factor is overlooked: justice Not every bad man should be, can be, or even deserves to be, rehabilitated into becoming a good man, under the tutelage of a good man. Some bad men need to simply be dead bad men. (Jeffrey Dahmer, anyone? Or Osama bin Laden? How about Abu Bakr al Baghdadi? Adolf Hitler?) Teach those who are worthy, to become good men. Some are not worthy.

[@KingaKucyk]

@@wiederganger1959 same, brother. Same

[@Sophiedabombbaby]

@@wiederganger1959 Absolutely true. Getting rid of capital punishment for rape and murder crimes has been a severe downfall in western society.

[@alexgagnon52]

I am assuming he realizes that the 'facist islamist' can and do say the same thing about how they follow the true meaning of Allah. This means that all religious text are completely open to interpretation.

[@ELYESSS]

The problem is that every religious person thinks that his interpretation is the one and only truth and everyone else is wrong You can remove the word religious and that sentence would still hold true

[@tobangafeufeu]

Alex Gagnon it is not freely open to interpretation at all. Look up Fiqh and Usul Alfiqh

[@rise4justice826]

Alex Gagnon yes

[@darkregions]

It's not open to translation per say but Islam treasures human cognitive process and wants people to think about who and what they are in relation to Islam and vice versa. However, depending on what Islamic theology group you're wondering about then you'll get various answers about the "openness to interpretation", where interpretation can either be fully bound to few chosen successors as in the theology of shi'ism or the "elect" as in sunnism. Out of sunnism then you have different brands that interpret the Quran differently because they refer to different forms of narrations. Whereas shi'ism is bound to a single line of narrations from the 12 imams so they are bound to their instructions on the process of exegesis. There are huge differences in practice and theology between all branches of Islamic groups and don't be shocked to know that Alqaeda and co are NOT in the centre of it all but rather an off-shoot from the most ridiculous group of Muslims (salafis) who happen to be the latest theology to form (nurtured by the UK to fight the Ottomans). They are not fundamentalist or literalist when it comes to Quranic understanding as they show themselves to be or as the evangilist Christians and the general western media would like to portray them... all of the terrorists, evangelicals, and anti-Islam faction, along with the salafi patriarch creed of saudi Arabia are "TEXT croppers" to suit their agenda and none of them combine the texts of the quran to give their followers a full message but rather concentrate on their OWN books of hadith narrations modified and corrected by their own set of scholars to close the loops over time.

[@TMTLive]

He does say "this is my jihad" at the end. He doesn't say that his is somehow the objectively correct way to interpret things, just a humane one. So yeah, I think he does realize all that.

[@matthewlynch9331]

"Victims of circumstances" What a damn good quote

[@trishxia2964]

@Douglas waterman lol...you are totally brainwashed by the media

[@jeromelj1010]

I wept as I felt his emotions welling up. I felt moved by this, especially coming from apartheid South Africa having witnessed the brutality and experienced humiliation. I feel shifts I'm resisting but shifts nonetheless 🙏🏿

[@goth_dude6874]

Do you know whatnhe has done ? The man was part of the problem evil

[@abujabid831]

Islam is true peace. Terrorism is not Jihad. Islam is not terrorism. Terrorism is completely forbidden in Islam. People don't understand the difference between Jihad and terrorism and hate Islam. We should know, understand and realize true Islam. May Allah grant this man his best reward.

[@DHARMYOGCOM]

wow i never seen a beard that long where you can see all the clothing in the back.

[@shmookins]

This speaker is brave to come out and will likely face death threats by his ex-peers and will be stamped a traitor and a coward. It takes courage to say what he is saying. I would also like to mention that jihad includes the things he said, but also include the concept of 'holy war'. What he calls 'violent jihad' is part of religion, sadly, and it is in fact the highest thing you can do in Islam. You are virtually guaranteed a pass to heaven if you die 'a martyr'. This post isn't to open a religious discussion. I just post this for people outside of Islam that may think 'violent jihadists' are being tricked, lied to, controlled or mislead. The instrumental problem here is that Islam cannot be criticized in any shape or form in the Middle East.

[@dvl009]

poor guy is gonna miss out on a 72 virgins orgy party as well :(

[@fmlAllthetime]

A martyr doesn't mean one that dies in Jihad. A martyr is one that dies in defense of their ideals. There have been Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Atheist martyrs.

[@smyasir0]

@@fmlAllthetime THIS

[@fmlAllthetime]

@@smyasir0 Thanks :)

[@user-je8nb4sr4x]

Kashmir belongs to INDIA❤️

[@insightdefence9162]

Now it is India

[@KarandeepSingh-mf5yc]

Kashmir didn’t belong to India or Pakistan. It is deemed to be independent and that’s Hari singh gave it to india. But the irony is india is just greed of Kashmir land and not of its people. India is a fucked up nation and it is going to be fucked up more

[@user-je8nb4sr4x]

@@KarandeepSingh-mf5yc keep dreaming

[@KarandeepSingh-mf5yc]

Raam I don’t believe in dreaming bro. I only speak truth

[@noname13years62]

@@KarandeepSingh-mf5yc Kashmir belongs to India , it's our sacred land ,if peaceful doesn't work then people will pave a violent way to achieve what they want, transgenerational trauma is quite a dangerous thing.

[@azamora2791]

woah, the crowd was silent af. you could hear the random cough here and there. props on them showing him respect.

[@rumeatife2680]

He talks so much like Charlie Chaplin from "The Great Dictator".

[@rikishikato5001]

"... the death of 22 of my relatives in horrible ways, as well as the murder of my elder brother." I cried again

[@nakedsoul5895]

If we must fight each other know that in the end we are only fighting ourselves. War should always be an option but it should also always be the last option. As an American and Iraq War veteran, I thank you, Manwar Ali for this wisdom. It took tremendous courage to present this to the world. Wisdom always comes with the price of experience and I know you paid a heavy price for this light. All atrocities are committed in ignorance or denial of the truth that we are all Family. May we all take action to better inform our children so they don't have to bear the burden of wisdom as we have. If you have not, please find forgiveness within yourself. All are redeemable in the eyes of GOD. It seems I cannot say this enough. In the Kingdom of Heaven (Universe), Family (Unity) is King (GOD). Those who stray from this truth will experience the wisdom of their innocence. May our Family know peace on Earth.

[@logansutton1866]

Saying "radical jihad" is redundant

[@timtamore]

+Thunder Cat nope. The Quran makes it pretty clear in certain passages what the preferably interpretation of jihad is. It says that Allah values the violent version most. Then again, the Quran, like almost every other religious text, is a highly contradictory guide to morality.

[@boogie504]

Yep, just like "Totally Tubular" or "Gnarly Muffins".. Why can't it just be Tubular, or Muffins?

[@dacksonflux]

This is an example of staying true to your religion but also choosing the way of peace. Young Muslims need voices of love, now is the time to speak to them in such a manner as this. A tragic yet insightful story, thank you.

[@TotalRookie_LV]

Welcome bck to humanity, mister former legitimate target!

[@katiea2929]

this video makes my heart hurt. I'm not religious by any means, but you can see the pain. the story about those kids too... wow.

[@hunterhale326]

Bros beard is see through

[@drumrnva]

14:33 "but now I began to question how I knew what I knew". If we can all do this, life on planet earth will become a lot easier.

[@michaeld7715]

Good man, changed for good. Respect.

[@omegaboostZ]

What I've learned as I grow older is that it's not religion, politics or different ideologies that make people inclined towards radicalism (for the most part atleast). There are some people, especially at a younger age, that anywhere you put them, they will have extremist tendencies. If you put them in politics, they become either far left or far right. If in other ideologies, they become some sort of feminazis or those vegans would will harass you for fishing or those climate activist that will stop you from going to work etc. It's not the ideas but the way people respond to those ideas and beliefs.

[@dru4670]

Well said.

[@adithyavasudevan4036]

This ought to be screened in all mosques and madrassas once a year, on the occasion of Milad Un Nabi.

[@supremeblaster7537]

At one point he said "I engaged in actions I thought were correct". My mind imagining George Bush on the same stage and saying the same thing with the same intensity and regret. Nah, would never happen!

[@LuxiBelle]

Tedx occasionally gives quality content.

[@Ahmad_Jihad]

Let me get this straight..... He was fighting against invaders who were already killing innocent people, then he realized that he was causing more harm because he and his groups were fighting back?? Then what is the solution? Innocent people are still being killed in those places he mentioned, so how is he helping now? I know talking about peace is a great thing but this wont stop invaders.... I am not criticizing, I just want to understand because I think I misunderstood something as what I understood doesnt make sense.

[@ferdinandmiranda899]

"Approach Life with Love." - Manwar Ali. This man who speaks from experience should be listen seriously, and he has a unique battle front experience due to his belief of Jihad. We appreciate that you've change completely for the better.

[@cogen651]

He was radicalized in the UK. Unbelievable!

[@bjerk1881]

how is that unbelievable

[@davidroyle2569]

Thank you sir, a very interesting speech and wonderful you now see truth and love, and I feel you are well on your way to moving beyond a belief in the promises a thing such as an Abrahamic faith can offer, and maybe with time you will embrace the here and now, and not deity.

[@miraakibaakib6774]

What a numskull you r David role, how dare you talk such nonsense, non Muslims also have violence in them, why do u think he was out on jihad he became a jahadist when others killed his whole family, now he is a change man because he chose love, while people like the murderers of his family are still oppressing Muslims in different parts of world,

[@nathanielbelotindos9203]

Then why you speak hear in TED? I think you should preach this message to middle east.

[@user-je8nb4sr4x]

Very much right brother...

[@marouaneelourak2203]

Because really u have to know that for us who live in this cruelty we don’t need someone to say these things to us, 0.01% maybe are the one who needs it. Some are just in the middle of the war, if they don’t take a side they will be killed by one side eventually, so they take a side and convince themselves with those things. Look mate if the west didn’t come and attack our countries directly or indirectly they will be no injustice to make normal people hold a gun and deepen the bloodshed.

[@funnzone]

its so ironic how he seems so peaceful but if some one was to insult islam to his face he probably would instantly turn back into the radical he once was. people like this man are not the problem its the confusing double edged teachings of islam that are the real issue.

[@Steve-qr2lm]

From Muslims most trusted Hadith: Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith - 1.24 Allah's Apostle said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform that, then they save their lives and property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah."

[@shahnawazansari119]

respect to all people.. who watch and understood...

[@azadybarayeiran]

His lace beard though!

[@boogie504]

I guess it's just "Z Top" now, since this freak left the band. And dat Patent Leather Toupe' Doe! Looks like Johnny WereWoof got stuck mid transformation.

[@averagebodybuilder]

لا عزہ الا بالاسلام

[@kashcorner9168]

Bravo brother, hope you inspire many others to follow the right path of ‘humanity’ (above everything else). Peace Love Light to you & all✌️❤️🌟

[@brianseeling6260]

It took him 15 years to realize he was doing something terrible? 15 years of violent Jihad?? This shows the power of Islam and pull of the duty of Jihad. He mentioned "doubt" but Islam means surrender, the opposite of doubt. He says that the world is not about "us and them" but the Koran preaches that view.

[@noone8923]

No ISIS applied the exact 100% right Islamic jihad that Mohamed and his early follower did. The problem is in the religion itself not in terrors group. Also it's good to see Muslims disassociate jihad from their religion, it's better to see them frankly confess about the dangerous of this religion and leave it entirely.

[@andthereisntone1]

I have seen this fellow talk before. I love what he says, and respect him enormously. However, his current ideas about jihad don't seem to resemble Muhammad's jihad _at all!_

[@tobangafeufeu]

Well, how much do you know about Muhammad's jihad? Do you know that removing an obstacle of the street is Jihad? Did you know that serving your parents until they die is Jihad? If not, why blame your ignorance on others?

[@glazedgamer7661]

Jihad is ones personal struggle against sin first and foremost from what my mate tells me about his beliefs. Doing a good deed: Jihad Helping another: An act of Jihad. It strengthens the "soul" and "spirit" by defying sin

[@216trixie]

Mohammed's jihad also included rape, beheading, torture and pedophila.

[@andthereisntone1]

GlazedGamer Not in Buddhism, Taoism or Jainism.

[@glazedgamer7661]

KuffārJuice Yeah but those aren't religions they are philosophies

[@SupahBro535]

No Shave November game strong! lol

[@PuffleFuzz]

Abhishek Ganta *no shave every day

[@mbarkaboha2783]

To all the Islamophobes, this man was a jihadist in the time when jihadism was applauded and supported by The U.S and its allies. During the invasion of Afghanistan by USSR the U.S backed all groups that fought The Russian military and one of the prominent groups that was backed by the U.S was Al-Qaeda.

[@DR_Neal_Rigger]

The violent view of "jihad" is WAY larger than many people understand, and for him to claim that the violent verses don't cancel out the "non" violent verses is a complete falsehood, just look up the term "to abrogate" , abrogation is a command given by Muhammad several times in the Quran and the sunna..

[@ronaldmcdonald8303]

What an honourable and good man. It just goes to show you can go from rock bottom to sky high even in the most difficult of circumstances. I have been sectioned under section 3 of the metal health act as I used to be a violent and angry man. I too have seen some horrible things, when I was in hospital I woke to a man with learning disabilities masturbating on my clothes, but now I have a band of friends and 5 GCSE's at C or above with all 3 core subjects. I never thought my life would get this good 15 years ago, now I live somewhere nice and have my whole life to look foreword to! God bless this man, my all his crimes be forgotten!!!!

[@kd1s]

The problem with critical reflection is that sometimes, only sometimes It leads to complete loss of faith. It was true in my case - even after Catholic elementary and high schools. I tell people I gave up faith and organized religion for lent one year and never looked back.

[@TehDMBfan]

kd1s there's always a conflict when it comes to critical thinking and religion. doesn't take a genius to work out why there's still religious war.

[@kd1s]

TheDMBfan Yeah I know. Critical thought and religion are generally not a good mix.

[@coda-n6u]

kd1s same thing happened to me dude. look into buddhist it makes almost complete logical sense. it's basically secular no believing in weird crap. It has helped me grow

[@cyyjohnjoy9920]

After his speech I clap my hands...I forgot I am only watching in youtube...I was so inspired by his speech..

[@mikeg90]

Kashmir that he was spoken of was a Hindu state and very peaceful. Historically Islam invaded. the Muslim empire under arangzeb. butched all nonmuslims now kashmir is a Muslim majority where nonmuslims are terrorized