Extremists in our midst : confronting terror / Abdul Haqq Baker.

Includes bibliographical references (pages255-270) and index.

Introduction -- Brixton mosque's early encounters with extremism -- British Muslims and identity -- British Muslims and religious conversion -- Methodology -- Case studies -- Research analysis of interviews -- Countering terrorism in the UK : a convert community perspective.

Since 9/11 and 7/7, the issue of violent radicalization has attracted wide-ranging research, policy and media focus. However, in the vast majority of accounts, the experiences and insights of individuals who have directly encountered extremists are missing. This book uses empirical data to explain the processes of violent radicalization and what effective counter-terrorism practice might involve. It examines the ways in which communities can play an important role in countering terrorism and explores wider issues of identity in relation to religion and nationality. Baker presents a case study analysis of three extremists who were convicted of terrorist related offences and consequently imprisoned, alongside the case study of a convert who was drawn towards violent extremism but moved away from this position. Written by an insider of a British Muslim convert community, it is part of an emerging wider trend of practitioner-led research.