C L O S E R

An anthropology of Muslims in Europe - A modest attempt by Martijn

Category: ISIM/RU Research

Dutch local Jihadist networks 1

International Terrorism / ISIM/RU Research / Religious and Political Radicalization

Dutch local Jihadist networks

The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Agency (AIVD) announced today that the threat of local jihadist networks against the Netherlands has decreased. Dutch Jihadists appear to focus on jihad outside the country it is stated in the recent Dutch language publication ‘Lokale jihadistische netwerken in Nederland. Veranderingen in het dreigingsbeeld’ (‘Local Jihadist Networks in the Netherlands. Changes in the security assessment’). This report is a follow-up on ‘Violent Jihad in the Netherlands. Current Trends in the islamist terrorist threat), published in 2006.
UPDATED 16-12-2009

Public Anthropology – 10 Years from Researchpages to Closer (1999/2000 – 2009/2010) 8

anthropology / Blogosphere / Headline / ISIM/RU Research

Public Anthropology – 10 Years from Researchpages to Closer (1999/2000 – 2009/2010)

In 1999 my website Researchpages started that later turned into my weblog Closer. It is an attempt to make anthropology matter and to improve my own research with feedback from a wider audience. Not by just giving answers to questions the public has. It is also about questioning why particular issues are addressed in the way they are addressed by particular people and what the consequences of that are. How are particular issues and the way they are debated related to (changing) historical and cultural contexts. In my opinion this is the focus of this blog and has informed the change from my website Researchpages to Closer. It is my humble attempt to contribute to public anthropology and to find out how to make anthropology public.

Mohammed el Fizazi en de open brief aan moslims: Duitsland is geen slagveld 1

Internal Debates / ISIM/RU Research / Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues / Religious and Political Radicalization

Mohammed el Fizazi en de open brief aan moslims: Duitsland is geen slagveld

Enkele jaren gelden werd Muhammad el Fizazi, de spirituele leider van de Salafia Jihadia in Marokko, veroordeeld tot 30 jaar cel. Hij zou banden gehad hebben met cq de inspirator zijn van de mensen die aanslagen in Casablanca in 2003 en 9/11 (de Hamburg cel) gepleegd hebben. In juli 2009 zou El Fizazi een brief naar zijn dochter in Hamburg hebben gestuurd waarin hij zich distantieert van aanslagen op doelen in het Westen. Dat mag opmerkelijk genoemd worden want daarmee distantieert hij zich volgens mij ook van Al Qaeda. Voor de goede orde, hij wijst gewapende strijd niet af, maar het gaat om een heroriëntering op de doelen van dat geweld. Hoe authentiek deze brief is, is onduidelijk en niet iedereen gelooft het dan ook en/of is bereid het na te volgen. Zijn brief die hier geplaatst is, behandelt in ieder geval een belangrijke vraag: wat zijn de grenzen van de gewelddadige Jihad.

Why young people radicalize 2

International Terrorism / ISIM/RU Research / Religious and Political Radicalization

Why young people radicalize

Two researches on radicalization show that when particular aspects of people’s life are perceived as unjust this is likely to result in muslim radicalism and rightwing extremism. Together with sensitivity for personal uncertainty and group threats this can easily lead to externally oriented negative emotions (such as anger) and intentions to engage in radical and even violent behavior. Socio-economic disadvantage and political factors, along with historical grievances, play a part in the development of radicalized collective action.

Cosmo-Salafists in Europe and the Middle East 5

ISIM/RU Research / Ritual and Religious Experience / Young Muslims

Cosmo-Salafists in Europe and the Middle East

Salafism can be seen as a transnational movement; originating in the Middle East it has acquired a more global outlook with local characteristics in Africa, Asia, America’s and Europe. This of course fuels the discourse of the Middle East as a hotbed for radicals but less well known is that there is a reverse influence as well. Salafis from other continents travelling to the Middle East, as is explored by journalist Alexander Weissink in a recent article.