On July 7, 2005, the United Kingdom witnessed one of its most devastating terrorist attacks when four coordinated suicide bombings targeted London's transport network during rush hour. The attacks, which claimed 52 lives and injured over 750 people, were carried out by British-born terrorists, marking a pivotal moment in the country's history of terrorism.

Immediate Aftermath and Personal Accounts

Mark Higgs, a control room manager at the time, recalls the chaos and fear that engulfed the city. "It was just awful," he said, describing the moment he realized the severity of the situation. Higgs, who was responsible for evacuating the underground, worked tirelessly for weeks to restore order. "The people who worked on the underground were just brilliant," he reflected, emphasizing the resilience of those involved.

Impact on British Muslims and Community Perceptions

The bombings had profound implications for British Muslims, particularly in Leeds, where three of the attackers grew up. Fahad Khan, a youth worker from the area, noted the shift in public perception. "It changed the narrative to someone who looked like me," he explained, highlighting the challenges faced by young Muslim men in the aftermath. The attacks prompted initiatives like the Prevent strategy, aimed at countering radicalization, though it has faced criticism for potentially alienating Muslim communities.

Foreign Policy and Radicalization

Former counter-terrorism chief Neil Basu pointed to foreign policy as a contributing factor to the radicalization that led to the 7/7 attacks. While emphasizing that such policies do not excuse violence, Basu argued for a more honest acknowledgment of their impact on domestic security. "A driver of the 7/7 attacks was foreign policy and Iraq," he stated, urging governments to consider the potential repercussions of their decisions.