Today (21 August) is International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, a day established by the UN General Assembly to honour the victims and survivors of terrorism. To mark this, the Global Coalition Against Daesh is releasing a special episode of its award-winning podcast Taking Apart Terror, narrated by Omar Mohammed, a historian and extremism researcher famed for his anonymous blog ‘Mosul Eye.’ The podcast delves into the human stories behind acts of terrorism, exploring resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Omar Mohammed garnered international recognition for his courageous reporting from Mosul during Daesh's occupation, during which he documented the brutal realities of life under terrorist rule. His blog became one of the few unfiltered windows into the atrocities committed in Mosul, relied upon by journalists, policymakers, and humanitarian organisations alike.

In Taking Apart Terror, Mohammed continues his mission of shedding light on the human cost of extremism, by interviewing survivors of terrorist attacks. Among them is Mayssam, a resident of Mosul who lived through Daesh's occupation, Travis, a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, and Officer B, an Australian counterterrorism officer who was stabbed in the line of duty in 2014. We also hear from Mayssa Rekhis, an anthropologist and medical doctor, who helps us understand the complex emotional and mental challenges survivors face.

Through these deeply personal interviews, Mohammed explores how individuals cope both during and following an act of terrorism. The podcast offers listeners an intimate look at how individuals navigate the aftermath of terror, finding strength and resilience in what is often a messy, non-linear path to ‘recovery.’ It also gives us an insight into why Mohammed risked everything to create his blog: his actions mirror his deeply held belief that terrorism is an aberration, and goodness and resilience are the true markers of humanity:

“It is too easy to believe, but also very wrong to believe, that [terrorism] is the true nature of humanity,” says Mohammed. “I would rather believe that our true nature if reflected in our ability to persevere, and to rally around those who need us.”

Taking Apart Terror challenges the notion that terrorism defines our world, instead highlighting the enduring human spirit and the importance of supporting those who have been affected by these tragic events.

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In the final episode of Taking Apart Terror: The West Africa Edition, host Fatma Ahmed, Bulama Bukarti and Abdulkadir Sambo ask: what’s the bigger picture for ISWAP? Across Africa, as Daesh affiliates leverage and even compete against each other, how should the counter-Daesh mission adapt?

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Host Fatma Ahmed joins guest speakers Luc Chounet-Cambas and Florian Morier for episode 8 of Taking Apart Terror: the West Africa Edition, 'Is there a way out of ISWAP?'

Daesh members, confronted by the reality of the group, are searching for ways out. Listen now!

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“The job of tackling terror online is everybody’s job. It’s about looking out and changing the narrative.”

Terrorists have been able to thrive online for years, but who is tackling this? Our host Fatma Ahmad is joined by Institute for Strategic Dialogue’s Moustafa Ayad and Veritas University Abuja’s Obodo Nmeamaka to discuss this and more in Episode 7 of Taking Apart Terror: The West Africa Edition.

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'The struggle against radical ideology is asymmetrical. Security responses [alone] do not solve the problem.'

Tackling terror is about more than military operations. Find out how community leaders, journalists, and everyday citizens are involved in resisting extremism.

Fatma Ahmed is joined by the Center for Promotion of Human Rights and Development in Africa's Samuel Ngambo and the Commonwealth's Anna Sherburn for Ep.6 of #TakingApartTerror: Who’s Tackling Terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin?

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Who is tackling terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP in Nigeria, and by what means? Local experts Ahmad Jumare (Neem Foundation) and Tanimu Tahir (Youth leader and peace-building advisor) join Fatma Ahmed in Episode 5 of #TakingApartTerror: The West Africa Edition.

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How does ISWAP raise funds? How is its money moved, and what does it pay for? Tune into Episode 4 of Taking Apart Terror where Fatma Ahmed, Dr Chukwudi Njoku and Chania Lackey discuss how ISWAP’s activities provide opportunities for disruption.

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“Women are also used as influencers because it is also believed that women can talk to women.”

Expert guests Kemi Okenyodo of Partners West Africa - Nigeria/Rule of Law & Empowerment Initiative, Ella Abatan of Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Yobe State University’s Hadiza Bukar discuss the multi-faceted roles that women play in both countering violent extremism and working in support of violent extremist organisations in Episode 3 of Taking Apart Terror: The West Africa Edition.

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