The Messenger Podcast with Shiv Malik cover art

The Messenger

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The Messenger

By: Shiv Malik
Narrated by: Shiv Malik
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About this listen

 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 True Crime
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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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All stars
Most relevant
Gripping story of a journalist beguiled by his source. Incredible honesty and self knowledge from author Shiv Malik about his ups and downs as he tried for 10 years to get to the truth. Lots here that I didn't get from reading the book.

Full disclosure: I'm one of the people interviewed in this serial. (Cameo role only - but I won't hold that against them.)

Binged this one

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I don't want to spoil this by saying too much, as I really want you to listen from beginning to end for yourselves. I found this fascinating on so many different Levels, socially, politically and emotionally. I will never defend or condone criminal behaviour, but what really touched me deeply about this production, were both the similarities and vast differences between these two young men's childhood experiences and upbringings. I did feel the need to take time to honestly and sensitively consider the facts, that these were at the time, two men both wanting to be heard, seen, acknowledged, and respected for their individual and unique skills, however different, and ultimately make money and be financially successful . Beautiful yet painful podcast but unmissable in my opinion. Both shiv and Hassan will stay in my thoughts to for a long time to come, and I hope that their clear potential eventually brings them both some happiness and peace.

Please take time to listen to this amazing podcast

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Couldn't put it down. Easy and interesting. Very good I recommend you read it too

Great listen

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gripping podcast that I binge listened to (it's 2.28 am and I've got to be up at 6am) but Shiv deserves this. a beautifully crafted tale of intrigue, manipulation, narcissism and attention seeking. the toll it appears to have taken was too great a price for the character portrayed to us, who's nothing more than a loser in every regard. wishing you and your loved ones all the best shiv. highly recommended listening. off to buy the book now 👌🏻

fascinating, infuriating and gripping

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Smooth narrative and gripping story! Really appreciate Shiv's honesty and frankness! Enjoyed a lot!

Loved it!!

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