For every child going to school in America learning basic math equations and the steps of photosynthesis, there is a child in the Middle East applying the same diligence to learning one thing: hatred. Hatred of those who don’t believe what they do; and the absolute conviction that those who do not believe, do not deserve to live. What’s more, the faith associated with these beliefs, Islam, is the fastest growing religion in the world.
Iranian native Mano Bakh has seen the transition of life in the Middle East move from one focused on joy, prosperity, and hope, to one saturated in the perils of hate, revenge and mourning. In his book, Escaping Islam: The Evil Might Not Be Realized Until it is Too Late, Bakh examines a seismic shift in a country that once embraced the concept of moving toward new technology, education, and freedom of thought.
The Muslim religion is based on the ancient laws of Mohammad, the same principles instilled in the youth of the Middle East today. Among these principles, women’s rights are considered to be only half of what men enjoy, eternal life comes after a temporary life on earth, and ‘killing to conquer the infidel’ remains a widely accepted means to an end.
Topics of the book include:
- How the ancient laws of Mohammad dictate that the Muslim religion encompasses barbaric, ancient customs that are incongruent with a modern world
- Historical events of the twentieth century that soured a once peaceful relationship between Iran and the United States, and the role political choices played in shaping modern Iran
- His reflections of growing up as a Muslim, and what events compelled him to turn his back to the religion
- His own riveting escape from Iran and the steps he has had to take – such as change his name and isolate himself – to protect the wellbeing of his family
- Ways in which the brainwashing of Muslim youth is filtered through their intense prayer regimen
- His plans to help educate the youth in Muslim countries, via the Internet, to not be pressured to become suicide bombers
«I have a message for the civilized countries of the world, » says Bakh. «It is important to be aware of the insidious growth of Islam. My book is more than a memoir; it is a ‘living,’ fluid and dynamic story that relates to today’s world, and serves as a warning to those who disregard the seriousness of the Islamic dangers that surround them.»
The one thing that further instills the fundamentals of Islam into the young minds of Muslims is that many know nothing else. Brainwashing and a near perpetual religious propaganda campaign does not allow Muslim people to accept any other leaders other than their religious leaders. It is a chillingly vicious cycle.
Bakh warns that as the memory of terrorist attacks such as 9/11 and the bombings in London fade further away, the next major terrorist threat draws nearer – one to be carried out by the Iranian youth, Islam’s up-and-coming front line. The last few chapters of his book illustrates a course of action that the world must follow before it is indeed too late.
«I will not be satisfied until radical Islam recruiters see a significant slowdown in the availability of their young candidates for human armament,» says Bakh. «I hope the day will come when the world will know that they have seen the last suicide bomber.»
Mano Bakh was one of the few students selected by the Imperial Iranian Navy to attend the revered Naval Academy in Livorno Italy. After
