Contesting the Theological Foundations of Islamism and Violent Extremism

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Introduction: Framing the Debate Around Islamic Theology, Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

   • Fethi Mansouri, Zuleyha Keskin

   Pages 1-12

3. Contesting the Theological Foundations of Violent Extremism

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 13-13

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   2. Causes of Radicalisation: Theological Arguments as the Ultimate Trigger

      • Zuleyha Keskin, Fatih Tuncer

      Pages 15-34

   3. Refuting the Extremist Interpretations of the Text and the Prophetic Traditions: The Case of Qur’an 2:256

      • Hakan Coruh

      Pages 35-51

   4. Social Construction of Jihad and Human Dignity in the Language of ISIS

      • Jan A. Ali

      Pages 53-72

4. The Social and Political Perspectives to Violent Extremism

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 73-73

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   2. Orientalism and Anti-Orientalism: Epistemological Approaches to Islam and Violence

      • Mohammed Sulaiman

      Pages 75-95

   3. Political and Social Changes in the Muslim World with Special Reference to Development, Knowledge and Freedom Deficits

      • Riaz Hassan

      Pages 97-113

   4. Islamism, Radicalisation and Violent Extremism: Perspectives of Young Muslim Australians

      • Halim Rane, Melissa Bull

      Pages 115-135

5. Religious Leadership and Violent Extremism

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 137-137

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   2. Understanding Key Themes in the ISIS Narrative: An Examination of Dabiq Magazine

      • Greg Barton

      Pages 139-161

   3. Potential Impact of the AKP’s Unofficial Political Islamic Law on the Radicalisation of the Turkish Muslim Youth in the West

      • Ihsan Yilmaz

      Pages 163-184

   4. Said Nursi’s Non-violent Social Activism as a Refutation and Response to the Re-emergent Neo-Kharijite Sect in Islam

      • Mahsheed Ansari

      Pages 185-206

   5. Pro-active Religious Rehabilitation for the Prevention of Radicalism and Violent Extremism

      • Cemil Alkan

      Pages 207-230

6. Back Matter

   Pages 231-232

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This edited volume discusses critically discursive claims about the theological foundations connecting Islam to certain manifestations of violent extremism. Such claims and associated debates become even more polarizing when images of violent acts of terrorism performed in the name of Islam circulate in the global media. The authors argue that the visibility of such mediated violent extremism, in particular since the emergence of ISIS, has created a major political and security challenge not only to the world but also to the global Muslim community. This is particularly true in relation to the way Islam is being understood and characterized in the modern world. Existing studies on radicalization generally deal with causes and strategies to address violent extremism. The book will appeal to scholars, researchers and students in political science, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.

• Radicalisation
• violent extremism
• terrorism
• radicalised youth
• ISIS
• Islamism
• Political Islam
• Islam
• Middle East

• Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

  Fethi Mansouri

• Charles Sturt University, Melbourne, Australia

  Zuleyha Keskin

Fethi Mansouri is Director of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization at Deakin University and UNESCO Chairholder at Cultural Diversity and Social Justice, Australia.

Zuleyha Keskin is Course Director at Charles Sturt University, Australia, and Managing Editor of Australian Journal of Islamic Studies.

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