Shamima Begum

Shamima Begum (born 25 August 1999) is a British-born woman who entered Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) at the age of 15. She was a student at Bethnal Green Academy in London when she and two schoolmates – who became known as the Bethnal Green trio – travelled to Syria in February 2015. Begum married a fellow ISIL member 10 days after her arrival and had three children who all died young. She developed a reputation as an enforcer amongst other members of ISIL and was responsible for recruitment to the group.

On 13 February 2019, Begum was discovered alive at the Al-Hawl refugee camp in Northern Syria by war correspondent Anthony Loyd. The following day, British Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, revoked her British citizenship. The British government believed that Begum held dual citizenship due to her Bangladeshi parents but this has been contested by the government of Bangladesh and she remains essentially stateless.

Quotes

• Here, because Isis was the worst thing in the 21st century and I was a part of it and now I have to face the consequences of my actions, and this camp is the consequences of my actions.
  • In response to being asked where she thought she would be in seven years time during the BBC documentary The Shamima Begum Story, quoted by O'Grady of The Independent. O'Grady, Sean (2023-02-08). The Shamima Begum Story review: Deluded monster, innocent child, or neither? This gripping BBC film lets the viewer decide. The Independent.