Summary
Maiwand Banayee, once a supporter of the Taliban prepared for martyrdom, now works to prevent radicalization. He has written a book detailing his past experiences and concerns about the rising number of religious schools in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power. Banayee wants to stop a new generation from being drawn into extremism.
Key Facts
- Maiwand Banayee was involved with the Taliban in the 1990s and was willing to die for them.
- He has moved away from extremism and now lives in the UK, working with the National Health Service.
- Banayee wrote a book titled "Delusions of Paradise" to help prevent others from becoming radicalized.
- He expresses concern about the increase in religious schools in Afghanistan promoting extremism.
- Banayee was radicalized as a teenager in a refugee camp in Pakistan.
- At the refugee camp, he and others were exposed to intense religious teachings that glorified martyrdom.
- The schools and clerics promised adolescents rewards in the afterlife, impacting their psychological state.
- The refugee camp was influenced by Islamist groups who previously received support for fighting Soviet forces.
