Ideas change everything

I am the son of a terrorist. Here's how I chose peace.

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Zak Ebrahim |

TED2014

• March 2014

If you’re raised on dogma and hate, can you choose a different path? Zak Ebrahim was just seven years old when his father helped plan the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. His story is shocking, powerful and, ultimately, inspiring.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

If you’re raised on dogma and hate, can you choose a different path? Zak Ebrahim was just seven years old when his father helped plan the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. His story is shocking, powerful and, ultimately, inspiring.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

About the speaker

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Groomed for terror, Zak Ebrahim chose a different life. The author of The Terrorist's Son, he hopes his story will inspire others to reject a path of violence.

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The Terrorist's Son

Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles | TED Books (2014)

Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles - *The Terrorist's Son*

How tolerance transformed two lives wrecked by terrorism

An important conversation between Zak Ebrahim and Phyllis Rodriguez, who lost her son in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Hope and tears may ensue.

How an unknown story made it to the TED stage

An inside look at how Zak Ebrahim's 1-minute audition tape — sent in just moments before the deadline — became one of the most powerful TED Talks of all time.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.