Converting To Islam

[Gromit]

It appears that quite a lot of people who go on to become Islamic terrorist were not born into the faith, but converted to it.

I do not have any figures, but the Shoebomber, some of the 7/7 gang, Lee Rigby killers, and now IS members, seem to have joined the religion at an adult age. That is not to say most fanatics were born into the religion, but the percentage of converts appears higher than it should be.

A phrase I also see is "Converted to Islam while in Prison". They have already slid into criminality, and Islam is supposed to be part of their rehabilitation. I am not clear whether fellow inmates are converting them, or an Home Office programme, but the results are not good.

1. Do you agree that converts pose an increased danger?
2. Should religious activity be discouraged in prison?
3. Are criminals interested in radical islam because it seems to justify violence?
4. Do, or should, the Home Office keep a record of people who have converted to Islam while in prison?
5. Should those who have been identified as prison converts be monitored further on their release?

[naomi24]

zoe76, because they adhere to the ridiculous notion that since time immemorial everyone who ever lived is/was Muslim, Muslims consider converts to be ‘reverts’. To the rest of us they are what they are - ‘converts’.

[grasscarp]

I agree with Svejk. My nephew, many years ago, claimed to be muslim all of a sudden when he went to prison. He told me they got better food. When he came out of there he was no longer a muslim!

[Hypognosis]

1) Yes. Over-eager to prove how dedicated they are.
2) No. As they keep reminding us: It's a free country.
3) Don't know. Actually, can't know; I'm not a mindreader.
4) Yes. Seems a sensible precaution based on the handful of cases accrued so far.
5) A bit police-state-ish but better safe than sorry.

I have a sneaking suspicion about prison conversions. It's something to do with impressing the parole board. I have no idea why parole boards are so so easily impressed (and/or deceived). If they were in an American prison, they'd probably be converting to Christian fundamentalism, because the parole board would be of that ilk.

[Hypognosis]

Other trivial reasons for conversion to Islam include…

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/22/national/22CONV.html

including:-
…asked for a sign, saw a registration plate. Priceless!
…fancied someone and converted so as to match
…influenced by friends at college (still impressionable at 18-21?)

So there seems to be very little research prior to these conversions. They're after new friends and/or a love life. I'm sure their new God will be flattered by their actual inner motivations.

(found that link, posted by Keyplus, on one of the related threads, below).