tackling extremism: a muslim perspective taalib alexander director, alhambra educational initiative

TACKLING EXTREMISM:A MUSLIM PERSPECTIVE

TAALIB ALEXANDERDirector, Alhambra Educational Initiative

In The Name of Allah The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

Contextualising Convert Muslim Extremism

Muslim Radicalisation: The Social Context

Muslim Radicalisation: The Theological Context

Muslim Initiatives to Tackle Extremism: STREET

Conclusion

Introduction

Conclusion

Introduction

Conclusion

Introduction

Conclusion

Introduction

Conclusion

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Conclusion

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Debates on Islam are seldom neutral

Terror attacks have placed converts under the spotlight

Does Conversion necessarily lead to extremism?

Post Cold War, Islam is now a policy objective

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXTUALISING CONVERTMUSLIM EXTREMISM

CONTEXTUALISING CONVERT MUSLIM EXTREMISM

Conversion is a dynamic process

Understanding conversion is important

What is the relationship between conversion & terror

Converts are steadily increasing

Founding Phase(Conversion)

Youthful Phase(Formative)

Adult Phase(Foundational)

Mature Phase(Reflective)

The Rationale for grassroots intervention initiatives: A STREET perspective

THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE POST CONVERSION PROCESS

MUSLIM RADICALISATION:

THE SOCIAL CONTEXT

MUSLIM RADICALISATION: THE SOCIAL CONTEXT

Social factors are indicative not blanket indictors

Social factors may be a reason for conversion

Social factors are important factors for black converts

Social factors play a key role in social disposition

Race & Ethnicity

Social Class

Family

MUSLIM RADICALISATION:

THE THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

MUSLIM RADICALISATION: THE THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

Three stages of radicalisation

Ideology presented as theology

Initiated by particular ideologues

Professor al-Ruhaili’s heuristic model:

THREE STAGES OF RADICALISATION

Renunciation(Takfeer)

Terrorism(Tafjeer)

Disaffection(Tanfeer)

Four essential characteristics:

I. Cultivation upon ideological texts & personalities II. Propagation of Ideological principles

First stage: Disaffection - Tanfeer

III. Disaffection from the orthodox Islamic scholars

VI. Alienation from the general body of Muslims

I. Renunciation of the orthodox Islamic scholars II. Renunciation of Muslim governments

Second stage: Renunciation - Takfeer

III. Renunciation of the Muslim community

VI. Violence & terror justify political goals

Three essential characteristics:

I. Legality of terror for ideological means II. Muslims legitimate target of terror

Second stage: Terrorism - Tafjeer

III. Non-Muslims legitimate target of terror

Social Facto

Theological Facto

Social Facto

Theological Facto

Social Facto

Theological Facto

CONTEXTUALISING CONVERT MUSLIM EXTREMISMMarginalisation and Muslim Converts

Periphery communities

Vacuum where ‘hard to reach’ disenfranchised Muslim youth gravitate towards

Mainstream Muslim communities

Wider society, governmental and statutory bodies

Adapted from: Anthony Baker, Extremists in Our Midst: Confronting Terror, Palgrave Macmillan (2011)

MUSLIM INITIATIVES TO TACKLE EXTREMISM:

STREET

Stages of Development and vulnerability:

vulnerability linked to lack of Religious knowledge

MUSLIM INITIATIVES TO TACKLE EXTREMISM: STREET

Based in south London

Managed & lead largely by converts

Beyond the mosque strategy

Grassroots insider organisation founded in 2006

Works with vulnerable Muslim constituencies

Individuals with history of association with violence Young Muslims from challenging family backgrounds

Individuals with substance abuse problems Converts to Islam- vulnerable due to their conversion

Works with vulnerable Muslim constituencies:

Muslim extremists who advocate the use of violence

STREET OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME

Work stream 4: Counter propaganda

Videos, i.e. You Tube, Literature , Blogs, Forums

Websites

Work stream 3: Counselling

Deconstruct Programme, Mentoring Services,

YOS/YSS Social Services referrals, Training & Development

Work stream 2:

24 Hour Youth Base

Workstream 1:

Sporting Activities

Football, boxing and other sports

Websites

Work stream 2:

24 Hour Youth Base

Workstream 1:

Sporting Activities

Websites

Work stream 2:

24 Hour Youth Base

Workstream 1:

Sporting Activities

Websites

Work stream 2:

24 Hour Youth Base

Workstream 1:

Sporting Activities

Websites

Work stream 2:

24 Hour Youth Base

Workstream 1:

Sporting Activities

Websites

Work stream 2:

24 Hour Youth Base

Workstream 1:

Sporting Activities

CONCLUSION

Social & Theological factors have a reciprocal relationship

Grassroots intervention is vital for vulnerable groups

Religious knowledge is a challenge to radicalism

Conversion process is complex

CONCLUSION

PRESENTATION CONCLUSION

Conclusion

Introduction

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Introduction

tackling extremism: a muslim perspective taalib alexander director, alhambra educational initiative

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