Biographies of Radicalization: Hidden Messages of Social Change

Published by De Gruyter Oldenbourg 2019

Biographies of Radicalization

Hidden Messages of Social Change

Edited by: Mirjam de Bruijn

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110623628

Overview
Contents

About this book

The term ‘radicalization’ immediately evokes images of extremism, Muslim fundamentalism, and violence. The phenomenon is considered one of the evil forces triggering acts of terrorism and confl icts around the world. These notions also colour the way we view Sub-Saharan Africa since the Boko Haram uprising in Nigeria in 2009 and the spillover consequences of the Libyan civil war in 2012. This book aims to broaden our understanding of radicalization. It searches for the deeper wellsprings of radicalization as a force not only negative in outcome, but also pregnant with opportunities and vital to social and political change. The book argues that radical ideas and persons appear primarily with a call for change. Certainly, these cries can turn extremely violent and lead to open confl ict, but could this violence have been avoided if the radicalization and people involved had initially been interpreted differently?

Following an opening refl ection by a slam artist on the phenomenon of radicalization, the book presents four case studies from the past and six from the present day. The studies are drawn mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa, with one from the Netherlands. By focusing on ‘biographies of radicalization’ the book investigates the history of the phenomenon, the forms it takes, and the pathways that lead a person to become radicalized. Rather than focus on chronological accounts of events, the emphasis is on exploring personal trajectories and inside stories. What can we learn from these individual itineraries and forms of radicalization? Were violent outcomes inevitable, and how might the calls for change have been turned in a different direction? The last three chapters examine pathways out of radicalization, ending with a report on youth in Dakar who directly engage with problematic issues in society and creatively harness the energy for change without becoming violent radicals.

Author / Editor information

Mirjam de Bruijn, Leiden University

Supplementary Materials

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Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Table of Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	V
1. Introduction: Biographies of radicalization–hidden messages of social change Mirjam de Bruijn Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. ‘The heavens have already burned’: Reflections on radicalism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	15
3. Pathways to home-grown jihadism in the Netherlands: The Hofstadgroup, 2002–2005 Bart Schuurman Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	25
4. How Muhammad al-Wali developed a radical definition of the unbeliever Dorrit van Dalen Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
5. The jihad of Sheikh Ahmet Ismael Bichara in Kouno: An example of an outbreak of extremism based on religion Hoinathy Remadji and Sali Bakari Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958 Walter Gam Nkwi Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	65
7. ‘It’s the way we are moulded’ Souleymane Abdoulaye Adoum, Jonna Both, Mirjam de Bruijn and Sjoerd Sijsma Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	85
8. Radicalization processes and trajectories in western Chad Djimet Seli Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	103
9. Radicalization in northern Nigeria: Stories from Boko Haram David Ehrhardt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	114
10. A rebel youth? Social media, charismatic leadership, and ‘radicalized’ youth in the 2015 Biafra protests Inge Ligtvoet and Loes Oudenhuijsen Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	134
11. Hamadoun Koufa: Spearhead of radicalism in central Mali Modibo Galy Cissé Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	152
12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question? Boukary Sangaré Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	174
13. Central African refugee Mbororo nomads in Cameroon: Cultural hostages? Adamou Amadou Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	194
14. Islam and radicalization in Senegal: A response in female preaching Selly Ba Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	216
15. Legacies of political resistance in Congo-Brazzaville Meike J. de Goede Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	230
16. ‘Give the Youth a Voice’: A reflection on the Rencontres V4T@Dakar, 15–18 November 2017 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	244
List of Authors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	256
List of Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	IX

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter Oldenbourg
Pages
- Front matter: 10
- Main content: 260
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 10

eBook

Published: April 1, 2019
ISBN: 9783110623628

Hardcover

Published: April 1, 2019
ISBN: 9783110620092