Letters | Return of ‘jihadi bride’ to UK would send out wrong message about terrorism

If Shamima Begum were allowed to return home, it would suggest that joining murderous militant groups doesn’t have consequences

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Shamima Begum in a photograph held by her sister Renu in 2015 after she left the UK to join Islamic State in Syria. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:34pm, 25 Feb 2019Updated: 6:54pm, 25 Feb 2019

I refer to Shamima Begum, the 19-year-old East Londoner who followed Islamic State to Syria in 2015, when still a schoolgirl, married a ‘jihadi’ and then begged to return to Britain with her newborn son. Now, ahead of her being stripped of her UK citizenship by the Home Office, Begum called the decision “unjust” and her sister, in an open letter to Home Secretary Sajid Javid, asked for help in bringing her and her baby back to the UK.

However, I, like many British citizens, believe that the decision of Home Office is absolutely ethical.

The return of Shamima Begum is too risky. When Islamic State carried out their bloody executions, the terrorists firmly believed that they were fighting for Islam. In TV interviews, she hasn’t shown regret for her action to join them. Also, the government must deliver a strong message to deter citizens from joining the vicious terrorist group. During the heyday of IS, many naive teenagers entered the IS-controlled region to fight for them and brought troubles to Europe. Even though they were not active fighters, they boosted the arrogance of the terrorists. If she can return to Britain as though nothing happened, this will be akin to telling Britons that joining terrorists in foreign countries may be tolerated.

Some may cite the “parable of the prodigal son” from Luke 15:11-32, which shows the greatness of forgiveness, and say that she deserves a little sympathy. We saw how hostages, prisoners of war and other victims were tortured and brutally killed by terrorists, however; can those innocent victims reunite with their families? If such tragedies happened to those advocating Begum’s return, could they have forgiven her?