My Son Was Radicalised By ISIS And Killed

Описание: In this episode of OMG Stories: Up Close, Nicola Benyahia shares the heartbreaking story of how her 19-year-old son Rashid became radicalised, travelled to Syria to join ISIS, and was later killed.

Growing up, Rashid was a happy, intelligent and energetic child with a close relationship with his family. He loved football, excelled at school and planned to pursue a career in engineering. But during his late teenage years, Nicola began noticing subtle changes in his behaviour — from becoming increasingly withdrawn from family life to developing views that she struggled to understand.

Then, one seemingly ordinary morning, Rashid left home and didn't return. After weeks without answers, Nicola finally received a call from her son confirming that he was in Raqqa, Syria — at the time considered the centre of ISIS-controlled territory. What followed were months of carefully navigating conversations with Rashid while desperately hoping she could convince him to return home.

Nicola opens up about their final conversation, the devastating phone call informing the family that Rashid had been killed, and the complicated grief of losing a child without being able to have a funeral or properly say goodbye.

🎙️ In this episode, Nicola discusses:

What Rashid was like growing up
The subtle changes she noticed during his teenage years
How young people can become vulnerable to radicalisation
The day Rashid suddenly disappeared from home
The message that made his family realise something was seriously wrong
Discovering that her son had travelled to Syria
Their conversations while he was living in ISIS-controlled territory
The moment she realised Rashid was beginning to question his decisions
Their emotional final phone call
Learning that her son had been killed
Coping with grief without a body, funeral or traditional goodbye
Why she turned her experience into helping other families
The warning signs she believes parents should look out for

After experiencing an unimaginable loss, Nicola channelled her grief into supporting other families affected by radicalisation and extremism. Her story is a powerful conversation about grooming, vulnerability, family, grief and why recognising the warning signs early can make all the difference.

🎙️ OMG Stories: Up Close - real conversations with people living extraordinary lives.

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