Ivan

Ivan Humble is a single father from East Anglia and a former organiser for the English Defence League who once recruited people to the far-right cause. He’s now working to prevent radicalisation. He wrestles with forgiving himself.

“I hated Muslims. I thought they were all terrorists. I know now that hate is just fear of the unknown.” In a surprising about-turn, he’s now friends with many Muslims, including Manwar Ali, a former jihadist from Ipswich who supported Ivan when his father died. We hear from both men about their friendship and how they are making amends for the past.

Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It’s a subject she’s explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, ‘The Forgiveness Project’. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives.

Producer: Kim Normanton
Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4