So as a muslim, people educating me about 'radical islam' is unbelievable. The ideology you refer to as 'radical islam' is actually referred to as 'khawaraj'. These people have existed within muslims for centuries. They pray, fast, give charity. In fact the only way to differentiate them from a normal practising muslim is when and if you ever hear there opinions and believes on certain in regards to our faith. For example if you commit a sin such a stealing you are a disbeliever. You deserve the worst punishment imaginable. Essentially they are insane extremist and yes very frightening. Our prophet decribed them as the dogs of hellfire. They rain terror across muslim countries. Somalia, Iraq, Iran, and syria are some with large group. They mainly target normal muslims as they believe we are the most sinful and deserve the most punishment. Its simple, if you don't agree with my extemist views you are a disbeliever and deserve death.
Many countries have done a great job of supressing these groups of people. The way to do it is ensure a correct and clean understanding of islam. Thats why these groups do not operate in saudi, UAE , Oman etc. From a young age, people in these countries understand Islam and most importantly understand the horrors of the 'khawaraj'. If they do exist they are imprisoned and punished. There are many ways to tackle 'khawarajs', but without the acknowlegdment and understanding of these groups of people, the western world will always struggle to get a hold. Muslims are very isolated in the UK, those that understand the religion and can effectively combat 'khawaraj' are often not given the right tools, platform and worry about falling into the hands of islamaphobia. We obviously do not help ourselves either. Many muslims do not learn the basics of their faith and some are easily radicalised into believing that terror is normal - hence muslim terrorist carrying out disgusting crimes against humanity. And the reality is that there are just truly evil humans on this earth in any groups of people.
But the whole reason i am writing this, is i just wished people would actually read about islam and understand it better. Too many people in this country careless to understand what 'radical islam' actually means. What does islam say about this? What did the Prophet teach? How should they be dealt with in islam? What does islam say about mass murder or murder?
Using labels such as 'radical islam' and essentially subtly categorising muslims ( lets be honest practising muslims with thobes and niqabs) under this label is incorrect and unfair. Radical islamist and normal muslims can look the same, dress the same etc. The difference is what they think and believe fundamentally. Whether they are filled with rage and hate. How they views otherwise that do not have the same beliefs as them, etc.