File photo of Islamic State members
The father-in-law of an Indian-origin man believed to have taken his family into Islamic State (ISIS)-held territory in Syria has asked the UK government to take responsibility for allowing radical Islamist preachers to influence British Muslims.
Mohammed Tariq's daughter, Aisha, had travelled to Syria with her husband, Siddhartha Dhar, and their five children. Mr Tariq, the 63-year-old shopkeeper from east London, said he was completely against the terrorist group and had pleaded with his daughter and son-in-law to drop their radical views.
"I just can't make them understand. I am very worried," he told 'The Sunday Times'.
"Omar Bakri (radical preacher) was preaching in English and that's how he caught these children... The British allowed him to speak," he said.
Mr Dhar, also known as Abu Rumaysah, is believed to be a disciple of Anjem Choudary and Omar Bakri Muhammad - two extremist preachers who once led the banned group Al Muhajourin.
Mr Dhar, who was reportedly brought up a Hindu before converting to Islam, is now believed to be a recruiter and propagandist for the ISIS.
He was one of nine men, including Mr Choudary, arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offences in September, 2014.
After being released on bail, the 31-year-old and his wife, then heavily pregnant, fled Britain with their four children.
He announced their arrival in Syria weeks later by posting a photo online, holding his newborn son in one hand and an assault rifle in the other.
Mr Tariq, who arrived in Britain from Pakistan in 1975, said his wife had tried to persuade Aisha and Mr Dhar to follow a more moderate form of Islam.
"She is against what they have done. She tried very much for them not to go this way, to follow a good sheikh instead," he said.