’Rabiah is not a terrorist’

Sally Neighbour's The Mother of Mohammed is about how Robyn Hutchinson became Rabiah, a member of the Islamist movement who lived for two decades on the fringes of the holy war. Neighbour on Rabiah, journalism and awards

Why did you feel the need to tell Rabiah's story?

From the moment I first heard about it, Rabiah's was the most incredible life story I had ever heard. Here was a Western woman who grew up in a country town, converted to Islam, joined the jihad movement, and ended up in the very inner circle of Islamist groups like Al Qaeda, the Taliban and Indonesia's JI. To me Rabiah's story was a unique window that enabled us to look into the enormous appeal and growth of the jihadi movement around the world.

Who's the target audience for The Mother of Mohammad?

The feedback so far tells me it has special appeal for non-Muslim women who are eager to understand the lives and experiences of women in the Islamic world. There are plenty of stories by and about Muslim women who are critical of Islamic culture and practices, but very few stories by and about Muslim women who explain and defend the Islamic way of life as passionately and articulately as Rabiah does.u00a0

Isn't an insight into a jihadi's life of interest to armed forces? The layman just wants justiceu2026

Rabiah has never been convicted or even accused or suspected of any crime. She is not a terrorist or a criminal. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, ASIO, now acknowledges that there is no evidence Rabiah has supported acts of politically motivated violence or is likely to do so in the future. She says she doesn't support the killing of civilians. When Rabiah went off to 'join the jihad', what it meant to her was doing humanitarian work on the Pakistan-Afghan border. So, many people can empathise with her, even though she is seen as an 'extremist'.u00a0

Has she changed your idea of the al-Queda, the Taliban?

I now believe that not all people who express support for al Qaeda or the Taliban are terrorists or terrorist sympathisers. Some people just want to live in an Islamic state and believe it's worth fighting for.u00a0u00a0

You're up for the Walkley Award for The Mother of Mohammed. You've already won three. What do awards mean to you?
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Journalists cop criticism for inaccuracy, sensationalism, insensitivity, ignorance, etc. Much of these criticisms are legitimate and warranted. But many journalists, including myself, aim to be professional, accurate, ethical and honest in all that we do. So it's very satisfying when that is rewarded.

You do agree then that journalists are guilty of sensationalism

Yes, but I can't recall specifically being accused of it myself. I believe that a lot of the criticism is warranted, and necessary to keep us on our toes.

How does your family feel about your job and its risks?

My husband is also a journalist with the ABC's 4 Corners, so he understands my work and the demands it makes and is very supportive. My 10-year-old son wants me at home so I can be in the school tuckshop and pick him up after school! As for risks, I travelled to Afghanistan but only after ensuring my safety.