CCHQ, Tories, Harrods, Jihadi Brides and the Kurdaitcha: 5 Awesome facts about The Missing Activist
What is CCHQ
The Conservative Party headquarters, also known as CCHQ, is the central hub for the British Conservative Party. It serves as the base of operations for the party’s staff, committee members, and voter targeting efforts. CCHQ is responsible for selecting and finalising Conservative candidates for elections at both the local and national level. Additionally, it operates a phone bank for volunteers and is featured in the book “The Missing Activist.”
Harrods
In “The Missing Activist,” Karen Andersen’s rival Zinah al-Rashid recruits her first Jihadi bride at Harrods, a luxury department store located in Knightsbridge, London. Founded by Charles Harrod in 1849 as a single room shop, it has grown to encompass 330 rooms and is now owned by the State of Qatar.
British Born Isis Brides
In “The Missing Activist,” private investigator Karen Andersen goes undercover to uncover the reasons behind the trend of British girls traveling to Syria to marry Jihadi fighters. According to studies by RUSI, factors that contribute to this trend include a rejection of Western feminism, peer influence, a desire for adventure, and a belief in the romantic ideals of the cause.
The Battle Bus
A “Battle Bus” is a nickname for a coach or vehicle used for transportation and as a center of operations. In “The Missing Activist,” a major incident occurs on a battle bus. In 2017, a scandal involving a bus full of Conservative Party activists almost caused the downfall of the government and halted the Brexit process when the party failed to disclose costs in their campaign budget.
Who are the Kurdaitcha?
The Kurdaitcha (or kurdaitcha man) is a ritual executioner in Aboriginal culture who uses “bone pointing” to expel someone from their community. The victim is shunned and typically dies a self-imposed death within days. This practice is still prevalent enough in Australia that hospital staff are trained to handle illnesses caused by “bone pointing.” Its modern equivalent is exclusion bullying, a theme present in “The Missing Activist” and “Fast Fact Five.”