Islamic Radicalisation among North Africans in Britain

Abstract

This article examines how symbols of Islamic repression and massacre affect radicalisation among North Africans living in the UK. It suggests that these symbols are an insufficient but necessary cause in the larger process of 'radicalisation', because they provide a basis for perceptions of injustice. In this context, myths, memories and symbols of colonial repression, contemporary repression of free political expression in North African states and current perceptions of western 'oppression' of Islam may be perceived as rationales for 'oxygenation'. Oxygenation here denotes exchanges among different Muslim communities throughout Britain which potentially facilitate terrorist networks. Oxygenation in turn contributes to 'blowback', here in the guise of perceptions among British Muslims of global oppression of the Umma, especially understood in light of the Iraqi and Afghani insurgencies. This article also explores how these symbols may be cultivated and disseminated at popular and elite levels.

Counter-Terrorism and the Counterfactual: Producing the ‘Radicalisation’ Discourse and the UK PREVENT Strategy

“…The assertions of the radicalisation discourse come from different literatures and place emphasis on different dynamics, but such academic studies highlight the importance of networks of peers and personal crises for the uptake of extremist ideas (Pedhazur 2005; Horgan 2008; Ranstorp 2010, 5–6; Sageman 2004; Wiktorowicz 2005). It should also be acknowledged that scholars have argued that images and ideas of violent repression upon Islamic communities can affect processes of ‘oxygenation’ which can ‘facilitate terrorist networks’ (Githens‐Mazer 2008, 550)—new terminology within studies of ‘radicalisation’.…”

The European Union's counter-terrorism policy towards the Maghreb: trapped between democratisation, economic interests and the fear of destabilisation

“…North Africa becomes a 'producer [and exporter] of terrorists' (Alonso and García Rey 2007, p. 579). These movements and organisations also converge on aims and strategies of the global Salafi jihad that treats Europe as a source and accomplice in this political suppression and economic stagnation (Githens-Mazer 2008, p. 1026.…”

The digital augmentation of extremism: Reviewing and guiding online extremism research from a sociotechnical perspective

“…First, questions remain regarding the understanding of online extremism. Research has yet to understand the augmenting impact that internet technologies have on extremism (Benson, 2014; Bouhana & Wikstrom, 2011; Conway, 2017; Githens‐Mazer, 2010; Scrivens et al, 2020). In other words, we lack an understanding of how online extremism changed compared with traditional extremism.…”