I bought Enemy Combatant many years ago at a small event where Moazzam Begg was speaking about the experiences that are covered in this book, then quite recently published. I remember being struck by that event at the time. The concept of the War on Terror and the aftermath of 9/11 was something that I had implicitly experienced, as we all have, but was not something I had a deep understanding of. Reading this book, then, was my first encounter with the details of the global networks involved in funnelling victims of the War on Terror to Guantánamo and other horrific prisons under the guise of “countering extremism”, as well as the details of Guantánamo prison itself. Of course, these developments are continuations of history and not results of a single day. However, it is important to understand the significance of this day 20 years ago for people across the world. This is particularly important in the face of how the attacks in New York were and are still manipulated by some who with one side of their mouth produce words of sympathy with the victims while the other side continues to give orders for mass killings, oppression and political manipulation across the world.

Despite its horrifying and painful content, Enemy Combatant is written in a very accessible style. It provides context both to Moazzam Begg’s own life growing up in 80s Birmingham and to the networks that were used for his capture and imprisonment. It is told with the same empathetic, considered tone that Moazzam Begg brings to all of his other work since. I came out of reading this book not only with increased understanding of the complexities around this never-ending, ever-mutating, all-purpose War on Terror, but also a deep respect for the author and the many other victims who continue to speak up about this topic despite the terrifying, life-changing experiences they have been through. May Allah reward them and their families, keep them on His Blessed path and bring an end to the evil terror that continues to be perpetrated across the world in the name of justice for this single September day.

Related books I hope to read in sha Allah (among others):

– The Mauritanian by Mohamedou Ould Salahi

– Guantánamo Voices by Sarah Mirk and Omar Khouri