Tareena Shakil

Tareena Shakil, a former British woman who travelled to and later left the Islamic State, speaks about losing her way and seeking faith. She recounts online grooming, idealised promises of belonging, the journey to Raqqa with her son, disillusionment amid violence, and the difficult path back to faith, accountability and community.

In this gripping conversation, Tareena Shakil, a British woman who joined ISIS and later escaped, shares her harrowing journey. She details the psychological manipulation behind her radicalization and the reality of life under ISIS. Tareena discusses her daring escape with her son and her time in a UK prison, where she underwent a deradicalization program. Now, she advocates for awareness about online grooming and the importance of critical thinking, emphasizing the need to support vulnerable individuals before they are preyed upon.

Tareena Shakil, a British woman and the first to be jailed for joining ISIS, shares her gripping story of radicalization and escape. She discusses how online manipulation and personal vulnerabilities led her to Syria with her young son. Tareena recounts the shocking realities she faced, her urgent desire to return home, and the emotional complexities of her choice. Her insights underscore the critical importance of questioning information from online sources and the risks of making life-altering decisions without diverse perspectives.