A South African man held hostage by al-Qaida in Mali for almost six years has revealed he converted to Islam to help cope with his ordeal. Stephen McGown, who also holds British citizenship, was freed at the end of July after being kidnapped in 2011 at a hostel in Timbuktu while travelling across the Sahara on a motorbike.
McGown was the longest-held of the 'Timbuktu Three', seized by Islamist extremists. A fourth German tourist was killed during the kidnapping. Speaking publicly for the first time since his release, McGown insisted he converted from Catholicism willingly and that it did not influence his release. 'I see a lot of good in Islam. It has opened my eyes. It’s taken me away from capitalism,' he told reporters.
McGown showed no anger towards his captors, even though he was not freed in time to see his ailing mother, Beverly, who died in May. He said he was 'treated well' and that captors often prioritised his needs. He missed 'freedom' most. He suffered headaches and other ailments but said he tried to see the best in the situation.
McGown said his captors were unaware he held UK citizenship. 'It would have been first prize for them if I was British… They kidnapped me just because I was non-Muslim.' He recalled being sceptical when told he would be freed, until a two-and-a-half-day car journey to Gao in eastern Mali. South African authorities said no ransom was paid, and negotiations involved Mali and the charity Gift of the Givers.
