Biographies of Radicalization : : Hidden Messages of Social Change / / ed. by Mirjam de Bruijn.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter DG Plus eBook-Package 2019
• MitwirkendeR: Abdoulaye Adoum, Souleymane,; Amadou, Adamou,; Ba, Selly,; Bakari, Sali,; Both, Jonna,; Bruijn, Mirjam de,; Dalen, Dorrit van,; Ehrhardt, David,; Galy Cissé, Modibo,; Goede, Meike J. de,; Ligtvoet, Inge,; Nkwi, Walter Gam,; Oudenhuijsen, Loes,; Remadji, Hoinathy,; Sangaré, Boukary,; Schuurman, Bart,; Seli, Djimet,; Sijsma, Sjoerd,
• HerausgeberIn: de Bruijn, Mirjam ,
• Place / Publishing House: München ;, Wien : : De Gruyter Oldenbourg, , [2019]; ©2019
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (X, 260 p.)

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.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Table of Contents -- 1. Introduction: Biographies of radicalization–hidden messages of social change -- 2. ‘The heavens have already burned’: Reflections on radicalism -- 3. Pathways to home-grown jihadism in the Netherlands: The Hofstadgroup, 2002–2005 -- 4. How Muhammad al-Wali developed a radical definition of the unbeliever -- 5. The jihad of Sheikh Ahmet Ismael Bichara in Kouno: An example of an outbreak of extremism based on religion -- 6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958 -- 7. ‘It’s the way we are moulded’ -- 8. Radicalization processes and trajectories in western Chad -- 9. Radicalization in northern Nigeria: Stories from Boko Haram -- 10. A rebel youth? Social media, charismatic leadership, and ‘radicalized’ youth in the 2015 Biafra protests -- 11. Hamadoun Koufa: Spearhead of radicalism in central Mali -- 12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question? -- 13. Central African refugee Mbororo nomads in Cameroon: Cultural hostages? -- 14. Islam and radicalization in Senegal: A response in female preaching -- 15. Legacies of political resistance in Congo-Brazzaville -- 16. ‘Give the Youth a Voice’: A reflection on the Rencontres V4T@Dakar, 15–18 November 2017 -- List of Authors -- List of Abbreviations -- Acknowledgements