Activist does gig despite visa miss

THE lack of a visa to enter Australia has not hindered former violent jihadist and recruiter Muhammad Manwar Ali from sharing his thoughts with a Dark Mofo audience in Hobart.

Mr Ali, who is now a scholar, teacher and peace activist, was scheduled to fly from London on Thursday to take part in two Dark + Dangerous Thoughts discussions yesterday, but his visa was not finalised in time.

Regardless, Mr Ali appeared at the Odeon Theatre via satellite for The Place of Doubt, in which Mr Ali was interviewed by Al Jazeera reporter Peter Greste, and Sanctioned Killing.

The events went off without a hitch — despite the occasional transmission error — with the crowd transfixed on the large screen where Mr Ali appeared behind Mr Greste.

During The Place of Doubt, Mr Greste and Mr Ali discussed the issue of masculinity among Islamic ex- tremists, whether Mr Ali had wanted to die as a jihadist in a quest for martyrdom (the answer was yes) and how Mr Ali had worked to recruit young men to the cause.

Mr Ali said recruiting was not done in an “insidious, mischievous manner” but rather through lessons on topics such as fearing God, being charitable, and Ramadan fasting.

He said recruiters told myths and lies to convince people.

“Within that they’re talking about how the Muslim identity is being compromised, because we don’t have control over our culture anymore,” Mr Ali told the crowd.

Dark Mofo organisers have invited Mr Ali to attend next year’s festival.