Watch The Jihadis Next Door
- 2016
- 46 min
-
6.9 (224)
The Jihadis Next Door is a 2016 documentary film that explores the lives of several known extremists in London, England. The film follows the journey of several members of the radical Islamist group, Al-Muhajiroun, including Khuram Butt, Mohammed Emwazi, and Abu Haleema, as they preach their extreme views to the people around them. The film begins by introducing us to the three main characters - Khuram Butt, Mohammed Emwazi (also known as Jihadi John), and Abu Haleema. We see them giving speeches and preaching on the street corners of London, trying to recruit new members to their cause. The filmmakers capture their interactions with others, including passersby who express their concern and disbelief at what they are hearing.
As the film progresses, we learn more about the lives and beliefs of these men. Khuram Butt was born in Pakistan and grew up in the UK. He had a family and a job as a customer service representative, but he became increasingly radicalized and eventually decided to join ISIS. Mohammed Emwazi, also known as Jihadi John, was born in Kuwait and moved to the UK as a child. He was known for his brutal public executions and was killed by a US drone strike in 2015. Abu Haleema, also born and raised in the UK, is an active member of Al-Muhajiroun, promoting his extremist views to anyone who will listen.
The filmmakers follow the men as they participate in various activities, including a protest outside a military barracks, a training session in the woods, and a protest against Donald Trump. The footage is raw and unfiltered, showing the men as they truly are - full of hate and anger towards Western society.
Throughout the film, we see the impact that these men have on the people around them. One man, a former member of Al-Muhajiroun, shares his story of how he was radicalized and how he eventually left the group. Another man, a Muslim who is working to counter radicalization, talks about the challenges he faces in his community.
The film ends with a look at the aftermath of the London Bridge attack in 2017, which was carried out by Khuram Butt and his accomplices. We see the devastation caused by the attack and hear from the families of the victims. The filmmakers leave us with the question of how we, as a society, can prevent such attacks from happening in the future.
Overall, The Jihadis Next Door is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the lives of extremists in our midst. It is a reminder that we must remain vigilant and work together to prevent the spread of hate and violence in our communities.