Home Fire has been a very interesting read thus far, and the book has sparked many of areas of interest for me. Because this novel has such a different perspective from previous books I have read, I have a lot of questions, especially about Muslim culture, national security, and family dynamics. However, one area that I really want to learn more about is ISIS recruitment strategies.
Prior to reading the book, it's safe to say that I had a very negative view on terrorists, and I assume this is true for most people. While I admit I certainly lacked education of the subject, ISIS seemed like pure evil, killing innocent people for reasons I couldn't grasp. The news was always talking about what horrible thing they had done that day, or that week, so that was really the only information I had before reading the book.
As I started reading Parvaiz's section, I found myself sympathizing with him more and more. Sure he was being recruited to ISIS, but I found myself making excuses for his actions. Reflecting on the book as whole, I can't blame him. He and his family was persecuted by the British government throughout his life, and what son doesn't want to live up to his father's legacy? I feel like this connects to this idea of loyalty, and where we place ours. The British government expects complete loyalty from Parvaiz, but why should he be loyal to Britain? The only message he's heard from the British government is that you and your culture aren't welcome. They tortured and killed his father and interrogated his sisters. While ISIS wasn't paradise, at least he wouldn't face prejudice for who he was.
For me, the fact that I thought ISIS's argument for joining them was compelling piqued my interest on the topic. I'd like to know if there are other strategies that are used, how they identify potential recruits, and if tactics differ in different areas of the world. I am looking forward to researching this topic, and I am curious to see what I learn.
Before starting the novel, I found it crazy how people would willingly join ISIS. As I continued reading the text however, I started to notice how convincing it may be to some, as in the case of Parvaiz, who are looking for belonging. It'd be interesting to see how this recruitment process occurs in the real world as opposed to the text.
ReplyDeleteI relate to your negative view on terrorists before seeing Parvaiz's perspective on joining ISIS. It was surprising to me that I was empathizing with Parvaiz throughout the story. I wonder if the people who join ISIS in the real world have similar reasons for joining or what other reasons might be. This seems like a really good research topic.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I also used to think ISIS was pure evil and that they were being violent for no reason. While I still think ISIS is awful, I can see how someone might get manipulated into joining.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing news articles in the past with airport security tape photos of supposedly well-off, capable young people heading off to join ISIS and similar groups, and I could never comprehend how someone could feel justified in making such a terrible decision. However, while I'm sure Home Fire does not speak for everyone, it was so much easier to understand why Parvaiz made the choices he did after witnessing the abuse, shame, loss, and brainwashing he endured.
ReplyDeleteI actually found it hard to sympathize with Parvaiz because my whole life I've been steeped in the idea that democracy is the best. It was unsettling to me that I actually felt bad for him. Reading Parvaiz's section was definitely a struggle in overcoming my own biases.
ReplyDeleteThe media angle within ISIS is especially interesting. It gave Parvaiz a way to pursue his passion with sound, but for a purpose that he really didn't believe in. When we get to the media element of the next section, on Aneeka, (social media and print media portrayals of her, etc.), what do you think the connection is?
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