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Who is Mohammed Emwazi? From 'lovely boy' to Islamic State killer Who is Mohammed Emwazi? From shy, football-loving boy to Isis killer
(8 months later)
Four days after the knife-wielding Isis militant who gloried in the beheadings of US, British and other hostages was revealed to be the British national Mohammed Emwazi, details of his life and personality have surfaced from those that knew him.
The picture that has emerged is riddled with apparent contradictions. Classmates described a quiet boy dedicated to his religion who dreamed of being a footballer. At secondary school he struggled with the usual teenage angst, unrequited love and an awkwardness around girls. He was a “lovely, lovely boy”, according to one former teacher, but had to take anger management sessions because he was unable to control his emotions. From a “painfully shy” football-loving child to the knife-wielding Islamic State militant, the man who became one of the most haunting figures of the jihadi movement remains a mystery even after being the high-profile target of a US airstrike.
Mohammed Emwazi, a Briton born in Kuwait, is believed to have beheaded at least seven westerners, among them the American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and the British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning. He is also thought to be responsible for the deaths of Syrian troops.
On 12 November 2015, the Pentagon announced he had been targeted in a US drone strike in Raqqa, Syria. It is not yet known whether he survived the attack.
The fact that he portrays himself as a strict Muslim is laughable and shamefulThe fact that he portrays himself as a strict Muslim is laughable and shameful
As a teenager he started hanging around with a group of would-be terrorists, some of whom are now dead or have been forbidden from travelling by British security services. But after leaving university and moving to Kuwait, he is described as a “humble” and “beautiful” young man by Cage, the advocacy group Emwazi turned to for help. Then just a few years later he is described as a “cold” and solitary Isis fighter known by the media as “Jihadi John”. Whether he is dead or alive, the picture that has emerged of Emwazi is riddled with apparent contradictions. Classmates described a quiet boy dedicated to his religion who dreamed of being a footballer. At secondary school he struggled with the usual teenage angst, unrequited love and an awkwardness around girls. He was a “lovely, lovely boy”, according to one former teacher, but had to take anger management sessions because he was unable to control his emotions.
As a teenager he started hanging around with a group of would-be terrorists, some of whom are now dead or have been forbidden from travelling by British security services. But after leaving university and moving to Kuwait, he was described as a “humble” and “beautiful” young man by Cage, the advocacy group Emwazi turned to for help (although it later said it had made mistakes in the way it had described him). . Then just a few years later he is described as a cold and solitary Isis fighter known by the media as “Jihadi John”.
Who is Mohammed Emwazi?Who is Mohammed Emwazi?
ChildhoodChildhood
Emwazi was born in Kuwait in 1988 and came to the UK in 1994 when he was six years old. His family settled in North Kensington, in west London, where the taxi driver’s son went to St Mary Magdalene Church of England primary school in Maida Vale.Emwazi was born in Kuwait in 1988 and came to the UK in 1994 when he was six years old. His family settled in North Kensington, in west London, where the taxi driver’s son went to St Mary Magdalene Church of England primary school in Maida Vale.
Entries from what appears to be a school yearbook show that the football-mad child liked S Club 7 and wanted to be a footballer when he grew up; a pictureshows a smiling 11-year-old posing for a class photo in his red school jumper.Entries from what appears to be a school yearbook show that the football-mad child liked S Club 7 and wanted to be a footballer when he grew up; a pictureshows a smiling 11-year-old posing for a class photo in his red school jumper.
He reportedly once got into a fight with a fellow pupil, but was described as a quiet child who was dedicated to his religion.He reportedly once got into a fight with a fellow pupil, but was described as a quiet child who was dedicated to his religion.
An ex-classmate told the Daily Mirror that the young Emwazi, the only Muslim in his class, had stood up during a religious education lesson to talk about Islam when he was eight or nine:An ex-classmate told the Daily Mirror that the young Emwazi, the only Muslim in his class, had stood up during a religious education lesson to talk about Islam when he was eight or nine:
He wrote Arabic on the board to show us what it looked like and how it went in the other direction. He showed us a religious text and spoke about what his religion was about.He wrote Arabic on the board to show us what it looked like and how it went in the other direction. He showed us a religious text and spoke about what his religion was about.
[...]He mentioned fasting. His English wasn’t very good throughout primary school. He could only say a few words at first – like his name and where he was from.[...]He mentioned fasting. His English wasn’t very good throughout primary school. He could only say a few words at first – like his name and where he was from.
He played football every lunchtime and at the after-school football club. Through football, he learned different words and expressions. Like all the guys, he always wanted to be the striker.He played football every lunchtime and at the after-school football club. Through football, he learned different words and expressions. Like all the guys, he always wanted to be the striker.
He wasn’t so good in school; he was the bottom half of the class, but he was one of the sporty guys. He was popular.He wasn’t so good in school; he was the bottom half of the class, but he was one of the sporty guys. He was popular.
AdolescenceAdolescence
Emwazi, known as “Little Mo” because of his small stature, continued his secondary education at Quintin Kynaston community academy in St John’s Wood, north London.Emwazi, known as “Little Mo” because of his small stature, continued his secondary education at Quintin Kynaston community academy in St John’s Wood, north London.
Related: My meeting with Mohammed Emwazi’s friend as they sought a radical pathRelated: My meeting with Mohammed Emwazi’s friend as they sought a radical path
Former students said Emwazi joined a gang aged 13, two years after starting at the school. They paint a picture of a boy crippled with the normal insecurities of adolescence, worried that girls would be put off by the smell of his breath. One former classmate, also a Muslim, told the Sun on Sunday that he did not strictly adhere to the rule of his religion.Former students said Emwazi joined a gang aged 13, two years after starting at the school. They paint a picture of a boy crippled with the normal insecurities of adolescence, worried that girls would be put off by the smell of his breath. One former classmate, also a Muslim, told the Sun on Sunday that he did not strictly adhere to the rule of his religion.
He smoked drugs, drank and was violent towards other boys. The fact that he portrays himself as a strict Muslim is laughable and shameful.He smoked drugs, drank and was violent towards other boys. The fact that he portrays himself as a strict Muslim is laughable and shameful.
Another former classmate, who was in the same year until they both left, aged 18, in 2006, told the Sunday Mirror that Emwazi angered his Muslim parents by dressing like the “cool kids”, wearing low-slung jeans, baseball caps and hoodies.Another former classmate, who was in the same year until they both left, aged 18, in 2006, told the Sunday Mirror that Emwazi angered his Muslim parents by dressing like the “cool kids”, wearing low-slung jeans, baseball caps and hoodies.
He hung out in shisha cafes and may have been influenced by older Asian men, who drove flash cars and boasted of womanising, said the classmate.He hung out in shisha cafes and may have been influenced by older Asian men, who drove flash cars and boasted of womanising, said the classmate.
Seeing him on the TV in his mask, brandishing a dagger and beheading people, it is difficult to believe he is the same person.Seeing him on the TV in his mask, brandishing a dagger and beheading people, it is difficult to believe he is the same person.
Only eight years ago, he was a painfully shy, nervous guy who wouldn’t say boo to a goose. He was bullied and humiliated by girls. To think he has killed so many people is impossible to comprehend.Only eight years ago, he was a painfully shy, nervous guy who wouldn’t say boo to a goose. He was bullied and humiliated by girls. To think he has killed so many people is impossible to comprehend.
He was so painfully shy that he barely spoke to anyone. Whenever he did, he had this habit of pulling his hand up to his mouth. He’d done it ever since a different girl had told him in front of loads of other kids that he had bad breath. Everyone laughed. He tried to laugh it off, but it was obvious that it had hurt him. His eyes teared-up and he wandered off on his own to a corner of the playground.He was so painfully shy that he barely spoke to anyone. Whenever he did, he had this habit of pulling his hand up to his mouth. He’d done it ever since a different girl had told him in front of loads of other kids that he had bad breath. Everyone laughed. He tried to laugh it off, but it was obvious that it had hurt him. His eyes teared-up and he wandered off on his own to a corner of the playground.
Girls thought he was weird and tried to stay away from him. He was short and got the nickname ‘Little Mo’. He shuffled around with his head down and his shoulders hunched. He had no ­confidence and held himself in a really nervous way. But at the same time, he wore trendy baseball caps and trainers. It made him look even more odd. Instead of coming across as cool, he became a figure of fun who everyone took the mickey out of.Girls thought he was weird and tried to stay away from him. He was short and got the nickname ‘Little Mo’. He shuffled around with his head down and his shoulders hunched. He had no ­confidence and held himself in a really nervous way. But at the same time, he wore trendy baseball caps and trainers. It made him look even more odd. Instead of coming across as cool, he became a figure of fun who everyone took the mickey out of.
He suggested he had become “obsessed” with a fellow classmate Ahlam Ajjot, and was “borderline stalking her”.He suggested he had become “obsessed” with a fellow classmate Ahlam Ajjot, and was “borderline stalking her”.
Related: 'The best employee we ever had': Mohammed Emwazi's former boss in KuwaitRelated: 'The best employee we ever had': Mohammed Emwazi's former boss in Kuwait
Ajjot, now 27, said she was in the same maths and English lessons as Emwazi, but had no idea about his “crush”:Ajjot, now 27, said she was in the same maths and English lessons as Emwazi, but had no idea about his “crush”:
He was shy and reserved. He was really quiet and didn’t get involved in all the hype and drama of school life. He never spoke to girls unless he had to. He was awkward. I was so shocked when I saw the news that he was Jihadi John. I couldn’t believe the pictures of him in a balaclava and in Syria. It’s not the person I knew from school.He was shy and reserved. He was really quiet and didn’t get involved in all the hype and drama of school life. He never spoke to girls unless he had to. He was awkward. I was so shocked when I saw the news that he was Jihadi John. I couldn’t believe the pictures of him in a balaclava and in Syria. It’s not the person I knew from school.
But a former teacher told the BBC’s Newsnight that Emwazi, who she described as a “lovely, lovely boy”, had taken anger management classes at school.But a former teacher told the BBC’s Newsnight that Emwazi, who she described as a “lovely, lovely boy”, had taken anger management classes at school.
We’d find that he’d get very angry and worked up and it would take him a long time to calm himself down, so we did a lot of work as a school to help him with his anger and to control his emotions. It seemed to work. He had a lot of respect for all of the work that had been done for him at our school.We’d find that he’d get very angry and worked up and it would take him a long time to calm himself down, so we did a lot of work as a school to help him with his anger and to control his emotions. It seemed to work. He had a lot of respect for all of the work that had been done for him at our school.
According to the former head of Quintin Kynaston academy Jo Shuter, Emwazi was bullied and had “caring responsibilities” for siblings at home. But by the time he left the academy, Shuter says, he was “hard-working and aspirational”.According to the former head of Quintin Kynaston academy Jo Shuter, Emwazi was bullied and had “caring responsibilities” for siblings at home. But by the time he left the academy, Shuter says, he was “hard-working and aspirational”.
Two other pupils from Quintin Kynaston are also thought to have gone to fight in Syria and Somalia. But Shuter, who was head teacher for more than 10 years from 2002, said there had been no indication that any pupils were becoming extremist. She told the BBC:Two other pupils from Quintin Kynaston are also thought to have gone to fight in Syria and Somalia. But Shuter, who was head teacher for more than 10 years from 2002, said there had been no indication that any pupils were becoming extremist. She told the BBC:
I am not prepared to say when the radicalisation took place. All I can say is absolutely hand on heart, we had no knowledge of it. If we had we would have done something about it.I am not prepared to say when the radicalisation took place. All I can say is absolutely hand on heart, we had no knowledge of it. If we had we would have done something about it.
There was never any sense that any of these young men as I knew them were radicalised when they were in school.There was never any sense that any of these young men as I knew them were radicalised when they were in school.
He had some issues with being bullied, which we dealt with, and by the time he got into the sixth form he was to all intents and purposes a hard-working, aspirational young man who went on to the university he wanted to go to.He had some issues with being bullied, which we dealt with, and by the time he got into the sixth form he was to all intents and purposes a hard-working, aspirational young man who went on to the university he wanted to go to.
Growing radicalisationGrowing radicalisation
A friend of Emwazi’s parents said Emwazi was brought up in a loving, “normal” family. He had been “temperamental” as a teen and had, according to his parents, become “more religious”. The woman, who did not want to be named told the Mirror:A friend of Emwazi’s parents said Emwazi was brought up in a loving, “normal” family. He had been “temperamental” as a teen and had, according to his parents, become “more religious”. The woman, who did not want to be named told the Mirror:
He was just a normal boy, a bit temperamental as a teenager but I thought it was just puberty. He loved football and spending time with his friends.He was just a normal boy, a bit temperamental as a teenager but I thought it was just puberty. He loved football and spending time with his friends.
I am shocked. We knew his family were distressed because they didn’t know where he was. They are a lovely family, they are absolutely amazing.I am shocked. We knew his family were distressed because they didn’t know where he was. They are a lovely family, they are absolutely amazing.
Mohammed’s father is one of the most good natured men in the world. His mum is very nice too. I am completely overwhelmed. At some point I remember his dad telling me he had become more religious but I didn’t think much about it.Mohammed’s father is one of the most good natured men in the world. His mum is very nice too. I am completely overwhelmed. At some point I remember his dad telling me he had become more religious but I didn’t think much about it.
He was very caring. He was very quick to defend people close to him if he thought they had been hurt. I don’t care about him if that is what he has been doing. I don’t care what happens to him. But I feel very bad for the family.He was very caring. He was very quick to defend people close to him if he thought they had been hurt. I don’t care about him if that is what he has been doing. I don’t care what happens to him. But I feel very bad for the family.
Emwazi went to the University of Westminster in 2006. Three years later he was awarded a 2:2 degree in information systems with business management, passing all but two modules.Emwazi went to the University of Westminster in 2006. Three years later he was awarded a 2:2 degree in information systems with business management, passing all but two modules.
He was part of a small group of west London friends and associates who were educated at the same schools, went to the same mosques, and were impressed by a particular preacher, Hani al-Sibai.He was part of a small group of west London friends and associates who were educated at the same schools, went to the same mosques, and were impressed by a particular preacher, Hani al-Sibai.
According to people who have moved in jihadi circles in west London, Emwazi began to be noticed by like-minded people about five or six years ago.According to people who have moved in jihadi circles in west London, Emwazi began to be noticed by like-minded people about five or six years ago.
He was reported to have taken part in a counter-demonstration outside the Harrow central mosque in north-west London in 2009 on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, during which one of the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby condemned anti-Islamic protesters.He was reported to have taken part in a counter-demonstration outside the Harrow central mosque in north-west London in 2009 on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, during which one of the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby condemned anti-Islamic protesters.
Some of his associates were being monitored by MI5 and Scotland Yard. Some had been in telephone contact with Hussain Osman, a would-be terrorist who planned to hit London with bomb strikes two weeks after the 7 July 2005 attacks, while others had taken part in jihadi training camps in northern England and Scotland.Some of his associates were being monitored by MI5 and Scotland Yard. Some had been in telephone contact with Hussain Osman, a would-be terrorist who planned to hit London with bomb strikes two weeks after the 7 July 2005 attacks, while others had taken part in jihadi training camps in northern England and Scotland.
The leader of the would-be west London jihadis was Bilal el-Berjawi, who was stripped of his British citizenship after he went to Somalia to join the Islamist group al-Shabaab, in 2011.The leader of the would-be west London jihadis was Bilal el-Berjawi, who was stripped of his British citizenship after he went to Somalia to join the Islamist group al-Shabaab, in 2011.
Berjawi was killed in a US drone strike in Somalia in January 2012. The following month, Mohamed Sakr, who had been Berjawi’s next-door neighbour when they were growing up in London, was also killed in a drone strike in Somalia.Berjawi was killed in a US drone strike in Somalia in January 2012. The following month, Mohamed Sakr, who had been Berjawi’s next-door neighbour when they were growing up in London, was also killed in a drone strike in Somalia.
In 2009 Emwazi travelled to Tanania with Berjawi and Sakr, saying they were going on safari. But they were being monitored by MI5 and were assumed to also be planning to travel to Somalia and were turned back.In 2009 Emwazi travelled to Tanania with Berjawi and Sakr, saying they were going on safari. But they were being monitored by MI5 and were assumed to also be planning to travel to Somalia and were turned back.
MI5 tried to recruit him, according to several of Emwazi’s associates, who claimed he was intimidated by the agency’s officers.MI5 tried to recruit him, according to several of Emwazi’s associates, who claimed he was intimidated by the agency’s officers.
The path to terrorThe path to terror
In September 2009, aged 21, Emwazi travelled to Kuwait to stay with his father’s family. Once there he got a job at a Kuwaiti IT company. His former boss described him as quiet and rather withdrawn but naturally gift for his work. He told the Guardian:In September 2009, aged 21, Emwazi travelled to Kuwait to stay with his father’s family. Once there he got a job at a Kuwaiti IT company. His former boss described him as quiet and rather withdrawn but naturally gift for his work. He told the Guardian:
He was the best employee we ever had. He was very good with people. Calm and decent. He came to our door and gave us his CV.He was the best employee we ever had. He was very good with people. Calm and decent. He came to our door and gave us his CV.
How could someone as calm and quiet as him become like the man who we saw on the news? It’s just not logical that he could be this guy.How could someone as calm and quiet as him become like the man who we saw on the news? It’s just not logical that he could be this guy.
After an exemplary probation period, the Briton returned to London in April 2010.After an exemplary probation period, the Briton returned to London in April 2010.
By December 2010 it appears Emwazi believed security services were targeting him. In emails sent to the Mail on Sunday reporter Robert Verkaik, before he left to join Islamic State (Isis) in Syria, Emwazi said he was a “dead man walking”By December 2010 it appears Emwazi believed security services were targeting him. In emails sent to the Mail on Sunday reporter Robert Verkaik, before he left to join Islamic State (Isis) in Syria, Emwazi said he was a “dead man walking”
and that the harassment affected him so badly he was contemplating suicide. He also described an occasion where he believed he had sold his laptop to a security services officer.and that the harassment affected him so badly he was contemplating suicide. He also described an occasion where he believed he had sold his laptop to a security services officer.
He said:He said:
I felt shocked, & paused for a few seconds as he walked away... I knew it was them!! Sometimes i feel like im a dead man walking, not fearing they may kill me.I felt shocked, & paused for a few seconds as he walked away... I knew it was them!! Sometimes i feel like im a dead man walking, not fearing they may kill me.
Rather, fearing that one day, I’ll take as many pills as I can so that I can sleep for ever!! I just want to get away from these people!!!Rather, fearing that one day, I’ll take as many pills as I can so that I can sleep for ever!! I just want to get away from these people!!!
According to Cage, a London-based organisation that contends jihadi violence is driven by the actions of the west, Emwazi was planning to return to Kuwait to marry but was prevented from travelling and interrogated for six hours at Heathrow, during which he alleged he was assaulted by a member of the security services.According to Cage, a London-based organisation that contends jihadi violence is driven by the actions of the west, Emwazi was planning to return to Kuwait to marry but was prevented from travelling and interrogated for six hours at Heathrow, during which he alleged he was assaulted by a member of the security services.
Asim Qureshi of Cage, which also released its email correspondence with Emwazi, said before this Heathrow meeting with security services he had been a “kind and gentle” young man.Asim Qureshi of Cage, which also released its email correspondence with Emwazi, said before this Heathrow meeting with security services he had been a “kind and gentle” young man.
We need to look at why security services have been allowed to get away with abusing British citizens without redress? #MohammedEmwaziWe need to look at why security services have been allowed to get away with abusing British citizens without redress? #MohammedEmwazi
Qureshi told a press conference:Qureshi told a press conference:
He was such a beautiful young man […] He was the most humble young person that I knew. This is the kind of person that we are talking about.He was such a beautiful young man […] He was the most humble young person that I knew. This is the kind of person that we are talking about.
He criticised the UK’s domestic security strategy since 9/11, which he said had only increased alienation.He criticised the UK’s domestic security strategy since 9/11, which he said had only increased alienation.
When are we going to finally learn that when we treat people as if they’re outsiders they are going to feel like outsiders and they will look for belonging elsewhere?When are we going to finally learn that when we treat people as if they’re outsiders they are going to feel like outsiders and they will look for belonging elsewhere?
Cage claims that he became desperate to leave the UK. In 2013, he changed his name by deed poll to Mohammed al-Ayan and tried once more to travel to Kuwait, but was stopped again.Cage claims that he became desperate to leave the UK. In 2013, he changed his name by deed poll to Mohammed al-Ayan and tried once more to travel to Kuwait, but was stopped again.
Read the story of #MohammedEmwazi 'YOU'RE GOING TO BE FOLLOWED...LIFE WILL BE HARDER FOR YOU' http://t.co/f9YO9QQWq6Read the story of #MohammedEmwazi 'YOU'RE GOING TO BE FOLLOWED...LIFE WILL BE HARDER FOR YOU' http://t.co/f9YO9QQWq6
His parents reported him missing in August 2013 and were reportedly told by police, four months later, that he was in Syria, although the family thought he was doing aid work in Turkey.His parents reported him missing in August 2013 and were reportedly told by police, four months later, that he was in Syria, although the family thought he was doing aid work in Turkey.
The Isis fighterThe Isis fighter
Abu Ayman, a former Isis fighter who said he met Emwazi in Syria two years ago, told the BBC that he would not mix with other British militants.Abu Ayman, a former Isis fighter who said he met Emwazi in Syria two years ago, told the BBC that he would not mix with other British militants.
He was cold. He didn’t talk much. He wouldn’t join us in prayer. He’d only pray with his friends ... the other British brothers prayed with us, but he was strange.He was cold. He didn’t talk much. He wouldn’t join us in prayer. He’d only pray with his friends ... the other British brothers prayed with us, but he was strange.
The other British brothers would say ‘Hi’ when they saw us on the road, but he turned his face away. The British fighters were always hanging out together, but he wouldn’t join them.The other British brothers would say ‘Hi’ when they saw us on the road, but he turned his face away. The British fighters were always hanging out together, but he wouldn’t join them.
In August 2014, he made his first grisly appearance in the video showing the brutal the murder of US journalist James Foley. In the following months he featured in similar films showing the killing of Steve Sotloff, David Haines and Alan Henning. In August 2014, he made his first grisly appearance in the video showing the brutal murder of US journalist James Foley. In the following months he featured in similar films showing the killing of Steve Sotloff, David Haines and Alan Henning.
In November 2014, the same man appears to carry out the killing of a Syrian military officer. He was filmed standing over the severed head of American Peter Kassig, and two months later appears in a video killing the Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.In November 2014, the same man appears to carry out the killing of a Syrian military officer. He was filmed standing over the severed head of American Peter Kassig, and two months later appears in a video killing the Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.
Emwazi had taken on a celebrity status for some Isis followers. Ayman added:Emwazi had taken on a celebrity status for some Isis followers. Ayman added:
Some love him. Some joined Isis after watching and admiring him; they take him as an example.Some love him. Some joined Isis after watching and admiring him; they take him as an example.
Isis play him like a piano. He’s a celebrity to attract our Muslim brothers in Europe but some think he is showing off; they think he’s being used by Isis.Isis play him like a piano. He’s a celebrity to attract our Muslim brothers in Europe but some think he is showing off; they think he’s being used by Isis.
• This article was amended on 17 March 2015. An earlier version said Emwazi was reported to have taken part in a demonstration outside the Harrow central mosque to “celebrate” the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The demonstration was not a celebration of the 9/11 attacks. It was a counter-demonstration against a protest organised by the English Defence League and Stop the Islamisation of Europe.• This article was amended on 17 March 2015. An earlier version said Emwazi was reported to have taken part in a demonstration outside the Harrow central mosque to “celebrate” the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The demonstration was not a celebration of the 9/11 attacks. It was a counter-demonstration against a protest organised by the English Defence League and Stop the Islamisation of Europe.