Jeff King Interviews Anjem Choudary

A few years ago I had the privilege of meeting Jeff King, the Founder of the International Christian Concern, which is dedicated to helping persecuted Christians all over the world.  During the conference, I purchased a number of books, in one of them Jeff King interviewed numerous people from different areas of the world & different faith backgrounds who in one way are another have been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  To my amazement, one of the individuals that Jeff King interviewed was Anjem Choudary, a notorious radical Salafist who openly expresses his support of Islamic terrorism.  In September of 2016, Choudary was sentenced to five years for recruiting Muslims to join ISIS, though he was recently released after only serving two years.  Counter-terrorism experts estimate that 1/6 of the individuals imprisoned in England for terrorism are linked to Anjem Choudary

Despite the fact that Jeff King and Anjem Coudary have vastly different views and obvious disagreements, Anjem agreed to be interviewed for Jeff King's Book and he and Jeff King had a polite, and open interview, during which Jeff King told Anjem that he respected his openness and honesty.  Featured below are some of the questions that Jeff King asked, and the answers that Anjem Choudary gave.  

“Look, at the end of the day, when we say ‘innocent people,’ we mean Muslims-as far as non-Muslims are concerned, they have not accepted Islam, and that is a crime against God…If you are a Muslim, then you’re innocent in the eyes of God.  If you’re a non-Muslim then you’re guilty of not believing in God.”

-Anjem Choudary

·         Question #1-What is the Qur’anic definition of Taqiyya?

Taqiyya is associated with Shiite sect of Islam, which is to say something, but not really believe it/mean it.  It is essentially lying.  We (Sunni) have Tauria, which has two meanings in order to defend your life, honor, or property.  Otherwise, lying is prohibited in Islam (See. P. 346 for more Information)

·         Question #2-So, then, you’re trying to live your life according to the commands of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Muhammad’s life, and that’s why you’re honest and only lie under those specific circumstances?

Honesty is something that every Muslim should have.

·         Question #3-Would you say that those Muslims who have a solid understanding of Islam will say the right “radical” things at home, but when in a democracy or the West, they’ll feel the pressure and hide what they truly believe?

One of the problems is that we have many of the people who would say the kind of things that I’m saying, they’re behind bars.  I do believe there are three types of Muslims nowadays: those in prison, those on their way to prison, and those people who are not really practicing. 

·         Question #4-Many would paint you as a radical, or fringe Muslim due to your views, but are your views extreme from a Muslim perspective?

For those who believe in a liberal democracy, I know it’s extreme, but as far as the Sharia is concerned, I don’t believe my views are extreme at all, and I believe that this category of “extreme” and “moderate” is deliberately orchestrated by the media to iso late certain individuals so they can be picked on, vilified, or arrested.  So I don’t subscribe to this classification at all.  I also thing that the media does not work in isolation.  Certainly they are the right hand of the government. 

·         Question #5-Many people say Islam is a religion of peace, but in reality the Qur’an is full of references to violent acts.  Is Islam a religion of peace?

Islam derives from the word istislaam, which means “submission.”  Islam is submission and the Muslim is the submitter.  We submit to the Sharia, which is encapsulated with many, many, duties and responsibilities, one of which is Jihad.  So nobody can say that Islam is a Religion of Peace. 

·         Question #6-When you say we can live in peace together, as the Jews and Christians did when Muslims controlled Spain, you’re saying under dhimmitude, correct?

That’s correct, they would have to be dhimmis, but would not be forced to serve in the Muslim military and be protected by the Muslim army.  They can keep their places of worship intact.  But of course, there’s law and order publicly.  I think this is the debate: does sovereignty belong to man, or does it belong to God? 

·         Question #7-There are many verses in the Qur’an and Hadith that make it clear that part of dhimmitude is to humiliate the dhimmi, to make it difficult to live in their religion, and when collecting the Jizya, you slap them across his face, so it’s not a happy state for a Christian or a Jew to live in an Islamic state. 

I think you have to be careful from where you’re taking your information, there’s nothing authentic to say when people pay Jizya you slap them across the face.

·         Question #8-So-called moderate Muslims would argue that Islam is hijacked by terrorists.  Do you agree with that?

Well, no.  I believe there is a place for terrorism in Islam.  Terrorizing enemies in mentioned in Surah 8:60-“Prepare as much as you can in skills of war in order to terrorize the enemy.”  When you’re fighting someone on the battlefield, you terrorize each other trying to win the battle.  So, in the context of fighting in Jihad, then terrorism is certainly part and parcel of Jihad. 

·         Question #9-The fighting doesn’t always have to be defensive, history has shown that Islam is expansionist by design.  What did Muhammad say & what was he sent to do?

There are two types of Jihad: Daft-defensive Jihad, & Mubada’ah-which is offensive Jihad, this is carried out by the Islamic state as a foreign policy, to remove obstacles in the way of implementing Sharia outside its boundaries.  We believe that divine law will take people out of the shackles and the oppression of man-made law into the beauty and justice of Islam.  But let me make one distinction, the Qur’an says “Do not compel people to become Muslim.”  However, the Sharia must be implemented as a law and order in the public arena, but what they did in their private homes or churches/synagogues is their own business. 

·         Question #10-So they’re free to live under dhimmitude if they’re People of the Book (Jews & Christians), but Islam is expansionist, it’s supposed to take territory and bring the world under submission of God?

That’s correct, because Allah said in the Qur’an: Surah 9:33-“The prophet was sent by God with all the guidance and ideology of truth for it to be dominant upon all other beliefs and ideologies no matter what they polytheistic people think. 

·         Question #11-What would happen to a Muslim who converts to Christianity under Sharia?

Muhammad said “Whoever changes his religion, kill him.”  So there is capital punishment.  It’s a one-way conversion, once you become a Muslim, there’s no going back, it’s part of Sharia law, but a Muslim is given time to study about his religion, and under Sharia there will be Islamic education.  There will not be this public propagation of any other religion or ideology.  Those who leave can be given time to repent, it could be days, weeks, months, or even a year, but if the judges are not convinced that you’ve repented or if you’ve chosen not to, then you must die. 

·         Question #12-So as long as the dhimmis obey the laws of dhimmitude, they won’t be harmed?

That’s correct.

·         Question #13-Is the goal of Islam to dominate and take over Europe?

Europe, the whole world.  That is the reason why Allah sent Muhammad, for domination of the world by Islam. 

·         Question #14-What’s the strategy to take over Europe?

Four ways: 1-people themselves will embrace Islam, 2-a certain community can break off and accept Sharia, 3-War, 4-Foreign policy

·         Question #15-Do you think people who criticize Islam or defame Muhammad should be killed if they’re not Muslim?

Not people who criticize Islam, but anybody who attacks the honor of the Prophet should be killed.  The Prophet said that very clearly. 

·         Question #16-Muhammad was married to Aisha when she was only six and he consummated the marriage when she turned nine.  Is this example should be followed?

In terms when someone becomes mature, you are allowed to marry them and consummate the marriage.  Maturity in Islam begins when the woman begins her menses, so the menses, for the lower limit, might be nine, and obviously, but the time of 15 everyone usually reaches their menses. 

·         Question #17-Why have you called for the destruction of democracy and human rights?

I think democracy and human rights are man-made and are therefore fallible and oppressive.  Allah said in the Qur’an “Those who rule and judge by other that what Allah has unveiled they are disbelievers.  They are the oppressors.  They are the people who are sinful.”  So I believe it is oppression, democracy is oppression and I don’t think that the majority of the people should decide what is good for mankind.  I don’t think they can decide.  I believe sovereignty belongs to God.  So I do believe in the superiority of Islam and in the injustice and oppression of man-made law as manifested in freedom, democracy, and human rights.  The Prophet said “Islam is superior and will never be surpassed.”  Islam is the better alternative.

·         Question #18-There’s no church within Saudi Arabia, yet Muslims can build mosques all over the world, what’s the double standard?

It’s not a question of double standards, it’s a question of what divine law says.  If you believe in freedom and democracy and believe that mosques can be built anywhere, then that’s your own ideology and that’s your way of life.  But we don’t believe that, and the fact that we could take advantage of the liberalism and freedom that you may have does not mean that we give any credence to that.  It’s not a question of double standards, but a question of abiding by what you believe.

If you wish to read the full interview along with 13 others, please click this image and purchase Jeff King's Book.  It's a good read and it's very informative.