Why did middle class security guard turn into an Islamic extremist who won't be seen on TV with his mother if she's not wearing a veil?



Pressing his loudspeaker tighter into his mousy-brown bush of a beard, Salahuddin's bright-blue eyes fill with hatred.

'When the Taliban defeat the allies we will establish Sharia law and take the fight to the enemy,' he preaches before a baying crowd of extremist friends at a demo in Barking, Greater London.

But just a year ago Salahuddin was known to his middle-class friends and family simply as Rich, a 27-year-old security guard for the BBC.

Transformation: Just a year ago Salahuddin, front, was known to his middle-class friends and family simply as Rich, a 27-year-old security guard at the BBC

As a youngster, growing up in the sunny seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, he harboured dreams of becoming a builder. That was before his transformation.



Now he refuses to use his right hand to shake hands with step-brother Robb Leech from whom he was inseparable last summer on a family holiday to Cyprus.

Instead he uses his 'dirty' left hand - the same one he uses after going to the toilet.

Within the space of just a few years he has abandoned his family and believes the UK should be run by strict Sharia law - which means cutting off the hands of thieves and stoning women for cheating.

Now, in a controversial new documentary made by his brother, Robb has attempted to understand Rich's journey throughout this drastic change in lifestyle.

Once inseparable: Rob Leech, right, decided to make a documentary to try and understand the transformation of his half brother Rich, left. Here they are pictured on holiday in Cyprus just a year ago

But, during the film, he continues to shock his step-brother with a series of harrowing comments and gestures that would rile most Britons.

During one visit back to his boyhood hometown, Salahuddin blasts local men for 'looking like women' - before decrying homosexuality.

In another he refuses to allow his mother to appear in the documentary without a veil as it would bring him dishonour.

Salahuddin states that he would be accountable for it on day of judgement despite his mother having never worn a veil in her life.

He regularly takes to the streets of Whitechapel, East London, where he now lives, to whip up support for the fight to create a global Islamic state.

He has helped recruit new members to the religion, many of whom are also white, middle-class citizens who have turned their backs on the society they grew up in.

And alongside this band of new white 'brothers', Salahuddin regularly takes part in angry confrontations while protesting against Western Society.

Shocking images in the documentary capture him on camera condemning soldiers as 'murderers' as they march through Barking, East London, on arrival back from Afghanistan.

Preacher of hate: In the film, Rich takes a young indoctrinee to a frightening conference held by hate figure Anjem Choudary, left, leader of the radical Muslim group, Islam4UK - later banned under Britain's anti-terror laws

The platoon, which had lost five men during bloody conflicts, is hit by a barrage of vitriol by the group of Islamist extremists, one of which is Salahuddin.

And, with grieving relatives meters away within earshot, he takes to the megaphone and screams: 'You foolish people risk your life for these degenerate rulers - these people who continue to guide you into the hellfire.

'Wake yourself up from your slumber and educate yourself, you foolish people.'



During the documentary, Salahuddin meets a young, enthusiastic Muslim convert named Ben, 17, whose mother is clearly concerned by his new religion.

When quizzed by Robb, he admits in front of his mother he is willing to die for the Islamist cause leaving her speechless and close to tears.

The woman, Maggie, says: 'I knew you were passionate - but I'm speechless.'



Under Salahuddin's guidance, teenage Ben gets circumcised and even creates an extremist style video where he explains his new found views.

Together they attend frightening conferences held by hate figure Anjem Choudary, leader of the radical Muslim group, Islam4UK -later banned under Britain's anti-terror laws.

And they even take to the streets to burn American flags in retaliation to U.S. Pastor Terry Jones' threat of burning the Koran.

Robb said: 'I made this film to try and help my family understand it all.

'The idea that we are all dirty and the only way to escape eternal suffering and the hellfire is to join Rich's group of fundamentalists really bothers me.

'It doesn't matter how charitable, good-willed or selfless you are if you don't conform you will burn.'



My Brother The Islamist charts the brothers' relationship - and Robb's attempt to understand why the person he'd once looked up to as a teenage role model could so strongly reject all that his family, and the Western world, believes in.