On 8 November 2011, Women without Borders (WwB) facilitated a discussion between Aicha el-Wafi and Abdul Haq Baker at the Paley Center for Media in New York. El-Wafi is the mother of Zacarias Moussaoui, who is serving life in prison after being convicted of conspiring with the 9/11 hijackers. Baker was the chairman of Brixton Mosque, and became Moussaoui’s friend and confidante after he had left his family home in France and moved to England in search of religious purpose in his life. This discussion highlights Baker’s experiences of witnessing Moussaoui’s radicalisation under the influence of extremist preachers, and unsuccessfully trying to persuade him not to involve himself in violent jihad. El-Wafi and Baker have come together for a unique conversation on identity, extremism, the role of mothers, and how they may play a key role in shielding their children from the lure of violent extremist ideologies.

Related Content

Projects

Challenging Islamophobia

Publications

MotherSchools Indonesia 2021 | Impact Report

Events | WwB

Afghanistan’s Strong Women: One year of resistance against Taliban rule

Publications

The International Character of the Iranian Women’s Revolution

Events | WwB

Open House Talks | Jung, fremd, kriminell?

Events | WwB

Open House Talks | Negotiating for the Future of Afghanistan

Films

Fatherly Love, Parenting in a Cultural Context

Events | External

5th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations