An old friend of an Aberdeen man who was pictured in a recruiting video for jihadist group, Isis, has insisted he was not subjected to extremist views growing up in the north-east.
The man spoke out as police in the city promised a firm response to “crime motivated by hate or intolerance” in the wake of Abdul Rakib Amin’s rise to notoriety.
Mr Amin was born in Molobi-bazar, in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, and moved to the Froghall area of Aberdeen aged about 10.
He attended Sunnybank Primary and St Machar Academy, and worshipped at the Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre in the Spital before moving to Leicester with his family.
His background has been questioned since he was seen wielding an assault rifle in a recruitment video for Isis, which has taken control of a large portion of Iraq in recent weeks.
His former pal – a 34-year-old Bangladesh-born man – said he often attended prayers with Mr Amin at the Mosque and was certain his current allegiances were not sparked there.
“We used to go to the Spital when we were young kids, they just taught you how to pray. Never anything to do with Jihad.
“I have not found this in any of the teachings we have come across and we have been taught Islam in mosques here.
“From all my teachings that I’ve had in Islam, it is never written that you should join a cult like this.”
He added: “After this incident I have been reading up on these things about jihad, and some of the doctors of the topic, they believe that jihad is probably the most misunderstood word in Arabic, it means ‘to strive and struggle’ and they have made it into a battle word.”
Aberdeen police commander, Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, said he wanted to thank the community in the city for its response to the broadcast of the video.
“We have a very strong community here in Aberdeen and positive relationships with all faith groups in the city,”
“Officers in my division regularly meet and discuss a wide range of issues and concern with members of the local community and that will obviously continue to ensure those relationships remain strong.
“Anyone who seeks to exploit the current situation for the purpose of committing crime motivated by hate or intolerance will be dealt with appropriately.”