Change the world together

Change the world together
meeting group

Sunday, 23 February 2020

Radicalisation


What have we learned about radicalisation? 7th March 2012

Replies to the 3 presentations which are on the website.

Mehdi Hassan Guardian journalist

1.       Religion is not the cause of radicalisation. Since 9/11 politics not faith is the main cause.

2.       Very few Muslim terrorists 99.9% of Muslims refute terrorism.

3.       Cameron has misread the conveyor belt idea about radicalisation.

4.       It’s the violence that matters.

Ed Husain author of “The Islamist”

What is the nature of the problem? “The process of adopting theopolitical ideas that can lead to violence”. A certain reading of religion can inform politics. Very small minority of Salafi are involved.

New Islam/Old Islam dichotomy is important.

He questioned poverty as a motivation e.g. in Bangladesh there is very little radicalism. Some terrorists are wealthy. Violence is too late for us to intervene. We should tip off the police. We should challenge bigotry.

The problem lies in 1. Prisons. 2 University campuses including some trying to influence Islamic societies. 3. Some mosques. 4 The internet.

5 ideas lead to suicide bombing 1. God’s rule. 2 Taqhir (spelling?) can even lead to believe that other Muslims are not Muslims. 3. Vigilante jahidism. 4. Martyrs. 5. Loyalty to other Muslims.

He said there was hope  - these ideas were being challenged even in Saudi circles.

A question about teaching radical students – deal with it just as you would deal with anything else the teacher disagreed with.

A need for religious literacy. Chris Morris “Four lions” film was recommended.

Problem NOT in mosques but among the young men expelled from mosques.

The need for money to be spent on deradicalisation.

Sorry these notes are a bit sketchy – may have got things wrong!

John Woodhouse


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