Peace Forum founder challenges Boko Haram on its home turf

The terrorist organisation, known for attacking churches and schools, kidnapping western tourists and assassinating its mainstream Islam critics, is currently in the headlines for abducting more than 200 schoolgirls.
But Shahzad Nadeem, a Thatcham father of four and a founder of the West Berkshire Peace and Integration (PI) Forum, insisted on travelling to its heartland - and, from there, condemning it on Nigerian television.
His outspoken stance against international Islamic extremism has come at a cost.
Mr Nadeem admitted: “I am always at risk. I fully understand those risks - but this is a spiritual conviction I have and a commitment I have made - to speak out against what some people are doing in the name of the Islamic religion.”
Mr Nadeem, a globetrotting, 46-year-old telecoms consultant and former Vodafone employee, was born in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, and lived in the Middle East before settling in West Berkshire.
He sits on the national executive council of the Minhaj Welfare Foundation, one of the largest non-government international charity organisations in the world.
Mr Nadeem said: “Boko Haram may just be in Nigeria but it is a part of an international extremist phenomenon brewing in many parts of the world under the guise of Shariah and Islam.
“My keen interest in this phenomenon took me to the heartland of Boko Haram – the north east of Nigeria. In spite of a clear warning from a number of friends in (the capital) Abuja, I made the journey to Kaduna to talk to local communities, met local Muslims and Christians and appeared on a TV show to defend my perspective and challenge extremism in the heart of Boko Haram territory.”
That was last Easter and Mr Nadeem is now preparing for a trip to his homeland, while concurrently working with like-minded people in Afghanistan and Syria.
He said: “Extremists everywhere are exploiting our youth and brainwashing them for political gain. Their philosophy is travelling round the world after undergoing a hibernation phase in which it is not properly condemned by Muslim communities.
“We Muslims are partly responsible for it, actually, in not standing up to it as we should. However, western governments must shoulder equal responsibility for using the phenomenon for political gain - for example during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan.”
Mr Nadeem knows his views make him a target for some militants but said he had no choice other than to defend his religion.
Meanwhile the PI Forum continues to widen the debate.
Last November it organised a talk with a reformed Taliban jihadist.
Next Sunday, June 15, social activist, documentary maker and blogger Aisha Ghazi, who has travelled extensively in the Taliban heartland, interviewing key political and social figures, will be a guest speaker at a forum conference.
The event takes place at Kennet School in Thatcham between 6pm and 8.30pm and all are welcome.
A £1 contribution is optional but appreciated and refreshments will be provided.
Ms Ghazi will present her documentary and answer audience questions.