The limit-experience and self-deradicalisation: the example of radical Salafi youth in Tunisia

Abstract

This article gives an example of self-deradicalisation from Tunisia. It addresses the potential of radicalized individuals to de-radicalize themselves from within the Salafi doctrine with no external interventions, while the state's religious rehabilitation approaches to tackling radicalism not only fail but are counter-productive. Deradicalisation could, of course, involve a more comprehensive rejection of Salafi ideology. This article suggests that an effective type of deradicalisation is, more likely to make the desired change possible, is one in which there is a gradual modification of some attitudes and behaviours without abandoning the whole underpinning Salafi ideology. Referring to the personal narratives of 28 individual Tunisian Salafis, the article identifies phases of radicalization and deradicalisation as the individual voluntarily moves from embracing radical ideology to a more critical understanding and practice reflecting on personal and interpersonal experiences of being radicalized. The research shows that the process of self-deradicalisation is reflective of Salafi youth experience of engagement with radicalism and is more likely to happen in societies that allow political expression and individual freedom that invoke individuals' critical thinking.

Cycles of Construing in Radicalization and Deradicalization: A Study of Salafist Muslims

“…These were six participants from a study of 25 Tunisian Salafists (Muhanna-Matar, 2017) who, in addition to the interview employed in the larger study, were willing to complete a repertory grid (the principal assessment method derived from personal construct theory). Five were male and one female, and their mean age was 26.3 years (range 23 to 30 years).…”

From Manuscripts to Moderation: Sundanese Wisdom in Countering Religious Radicalism

“…This is in line with the view of Elshimi (2015) that deradicalization does not extend to mitigation of violence, but rather a person's subjective attitude in looking at things critically. Similarly, Muhanna-Matar (2017) shows that self-deradicalization is considered effective in preventing the rise of radical ideology without abandoning Islamic values and identity. Self-deradicalization takes place when a person feels uncomfortable being in a radical community.…”

Youth Narratives of Moderate Islam: Study of Islamic Philosophy For Indonesian Millennials

“…Numerous radical groups have attempted to influence millennials, a situation that must be carefully monitored due to the youth of their targets (Muhanna-Matar 2017;Theriault 2019;Ljamai 2020;Marquardt 2020;Ballesté 2021;IVANOV & SIRYUKOVA 2021;Jacot et al 2021;Zhu, Chan & Chou 2021). Young people are in the midst of searching for and actualizing themselves, and thus are easily swayed to adopt mindsets that run against Indonesia's national philosophy, Pancasila, by promoting intolerance and radicalism.…”