Following the 2017 Westminster attack , Hasan wrote an article in '' The Intercept '' criticising what he referred to as the " common stereotype of the Middle Eastern , Muslim-born terrorist . " He pointed out that the perpetrator of the attack , Khalid Masood , was born and raised in the United Kingdom and , therefore would not have been affected by any immigration ban . He also pointed out that Masood converted to Islam late in life and still had a history of criminality prior to his conversion . Hasan concluded , ergo , that while " a distorted , simplistic and politicized form of Islam " provided the justification for Masood 's actions , the main motivation lied in " social networks and family ties ; issues of identity and belonging ; a sense of persecution ; mental illness ; socio-economic grievances ; moral outrage over conflict and torture ; a craving for glory and purpose , action and adventure . " Hasan also referenced to a 2008 leaked report by researchers for MI5 , a 2010 Demos study , and a 2016 Egmont study , that came to similar conclusions " challeng ing the conventional ... wisdom on the role of religion in the radicalization process . " Hasan stated that the media should be sanctioned for " dishonest , demonising press coverage " of Muslims and other minorities , stating : " I 'm all in favour of free speech and the robust criticism of all religious beliefs . But it 's the made-up stories and the smearing of individuals and whole communities that I have an issue with . Why is n't anti-Muslim bigotry as unacceptable in the press as anti-Jewish bigotry ? "
2017 Westminster attack
2017 Westminster attack
Mehdi Hasan