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The Messenger

By: Shiv Malik
Narrated by: Shiv Malik
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  • Summary

  • When investigative journalist Shiv Malik was betrayed by a source he considered a friend, he spent almost fifteen years tracking down the truth about what happened. The Messenger is an extraordinary audio tale of friendship, lies, betrayal, terrorism, the destruction of a marriage, and the insidiousness of fake news long before it went viral. In the wake of the 7/7 London bombings, Shiv Malik began working for the BBC to discover how young South Asian men like him had turned into suicide bombers. That's when he met notorious Islamist spokesman Hassan Butt, who told Shiv that he'd repented and left al-Qaeda. Hassan wanted Shiv to write his biography, and Shiv thought he'd found the biggest story of his life—a story that would help to change the world for the better. Little did he know that Hassan Butt would almost destroy his life. Over the next three years, Shiv and Hassan became friends, until one day there was a knock on the door from police investigators and everything fell apart. In eight revealing episodes, featuring Shiv's own audio recordings of his conversations with Hassan, Shiv searches for where he can place his trust: in the reams of evidence, in the cops, in a terrorist who swears he's changed, or in a friend who has no one else to turn to? Produced by Topic Studios.
    ©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC
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True Crime
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Episodes
  • Episode 1: The Charming Jihadist

    Episode 1: The Charming Jihadist
    Nov 5 2020
    In the aftermath of 9/11 and the 7/7 London bombings, journalists were desperate to explain why young British Asian men were apparently turning against the country of their birth. Ambitious young reporter Shiv Malik prided himself on being able to persuade them to open up to him. Then he met Hassan Butt, one of the most notorious spokesman for Islamic terrorism in the UK. Hassan told Shiv he now denounced violence and asked Shiv to help him write a book to help others leave the terrorist network.
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    28 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Episode 2: How to Make A Terrorist

    Episode 2: How to Make A Terrorist
    Nov 5 2020
    Shiv spends hundreds of hours recording conversations with Hassan in his small house near Manchester in the north of England to try and find out what it was that made Hassan the voice of violent Islamist idealogy. Hassan shares personal secrets and Shiv discovers they have more in common than he thought.
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    26 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Episode 3: How to Be A Terrorist

    Episode 3: How to Be A Terrorist
    Nov 5 2020
    Hassan tells Shiv about how he moved to Pakistan and got deeper into the terrorist network. After 9/11, Hassan starts to meet some of America’s most wanted men and glories at being at the center of global attention. Then he gets involved in a bomb plot in Pakistan and tells Shiv that that’s when everything changed.
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    21 mins
    Free with 30-day trial

What listeners say about The Messenger

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Wow

Well this story will truly make you think about anything you get told may not be the truth really well put together Shiv Malik what a fantastic pod cast easily my favourite thankyou

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Riveting

totally additive, listened to whole serious in one hit, just had to hear it all before I carried on with life.

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wow

Loved it ,amazing overall
very well done, even the back ground music was great , I could relate to both characters

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Profile Image for Steve Callagher

insightful

shiv has done really well with this book. check it out you won't be disappointed

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The Messenger

Intriguing story...well done for persevering with the book & podcast. Will recommend to my friends.

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Profile Image for B J Gunn

The Real Keyser Soze

The gripping true story of Trust and Betrayal of Shiv Malik by Hassan Butt an Al-Muhajiroun member, Al-Qaeda operative, reformed Jihadist, MI5 informant or non of the above and Reporter Shiv Malik who was taken for the ride of his life or a ride?
Nothing is what it seems.
Absolutely loved it, it should be a feature film.

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Profile Image for Lori W

True or Not - It's Believable.

It was a time in our lives where we wanted answers.
Wish you all the best and it was great listening to you.

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Fascinating

Found it interesting and engaging. Definitely one of the better made podcasts I’ve listened to lately

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amazing

loved it, amazing, captivating, brilliant thank you for sharing your story. absolutely have to get this book.

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A twisting tale

Really interesting insight into extremists and the lies surrounding them. Very well spoken and researched.

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