From radical hater to peacemaker
HE went from being a radical Islamist with the belief that Adolf Hitler was a hero to being passionate about Zionism.
Kasim Hafeez, 28, is an adviser for StandWithUs UK, a pro-Israel activist group, and is a fellow of The Lawfare Project.
He will be in South Africa tomorrow to share his story (in Cape Town and Johannesburg) of how his life changed from being an anti-Semitic Islamic extremist to a pro-Israel Muslim and an advocate for human rights and democracy.
In an interview with the Sunday Times Extra, Hafeez said the purpose of his first visit to South Africa was to “inspire and educate” people.
“I’m not asking people to agree with everything I say, but I want people to look at the other side. They need to look at the facts and not follow the propaganda and rhetoric that has coloured the debate on the Middle East,” said Hafeez.
Born and raised in East Midlands, England, Hafeez’s parents indoctrinated him into the fold of radical Islamism by the age of 18. Later, he said, he became obsessed with his hatred for Jews and Israel.
Hafeez, who holds a degree in politics, said he had a change of heart after reading a book by Alan Dershowitz — The Case for Israel . He visited Israel, which was a turning point in his life.
“When I saw Arabs, Jews and all others coexisting in Israel, I realised it is a complete insult to the memory of those who suffered and fought against apartheid in South Africa. I had to accept the reality and I decided to speak out. I did not want people to feel the intense hatred I had — hatred because of being lied to,” he said.
“When my grandparents moved to England from Pakistan to create a better life for themselves and their children, they were deeply traditional and religious, but not radical. My father, however, was much more vocal. He would say Hitler was a great man — he just did not kill enough Jews. Growing up around this has an effect; it soaks into your subconscious. And because I knew no Jews, these stereotypes and negativity could never be challenged.”
Hafeez said his stance on Israel now received negative criticism from Muslims and it had fractured his relationship with his family. “It’s an unfortunate situation, but after seeing the truth I cannot ignore it and allow an injustice.”
Hafeez said humans adopted a “pack mentality”— no one wanted to challenge their beliefs. This, he said, was the reason we see so much conflict between communities. To end the war in Palestine, Hafeez said, there needed to be mutual acceptance. “Palestinians must stop teaching their children hatred, but rather give them hope for a shared future — one where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side.”
“I’m not asking people to agree with everything I say, but I want people to look at the other side. They need to look at the facts and not follow the propaganda and rhetoric that has coloured the debate on the Middle East