Neojihadism Towards A New Understanding Of Terrorism And Extremism

About this book

Many years after 9/11 there are still not adequate means to categorize groups like Al Qaeda, home-grown cells and others that claim to be perpetrating and justifying terrorist acts under the banner of jihad. This book proposes that 'neojihadism' is a new form of political organization, global subculture, counterculture and theological understanding, with an approach to political violence that is unique to the post-Cold War period. What these groups espouse and enact differs radically from totalitarianism, cults, jihad - and even jihadism. Pete Lentini takes an interdisciplinary approach that fuses comparative politics, comparative theology, subcultural studies, Islamic studies, and the sociology of religion. It cites examples from global (Al Qaeda), regional (Jemaah Islamiyah) and nationally based (Chechen and Australian) groups to illustrate the diversity within the movement. Additionally, it draws from primary materials - some of which is translated from Arabic - to help to test the extent to which the term neojihadism is a significant political, theological, and military departure from previous Islamist group experiences. This fascinating book will be invaluable for academics including postgraduate and Masters' students of terrorism studies, political science, international relations, comparative religion, and Islamic studies.