Think tank europe

A linguistic turn of terrorism studies

30/06/2009
Author : Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS - Denmark)
By Jørgen Staun
 
Why do some young European men of Muslim faith, who have lived all or most of their lives in democratic societies, choose to give up their seemingly well-integrated, normal lives in order to follow the call for Jihad? And what is the role of culture and language in that process? Questions such as these have inspired terrorism researchers to look for cultural- or ideology-related explanations.

Cultural theories applied to the study of violent radicalisation and Islamist militancy primarily focus on socio-cultural explanatory factors when explaining why certain European Muslim youths adhere to commit terrorist activities. These factors range from integration problems, feelings of humiliation and their understanding of the world, i.e. their worldviews, perceptions and others.

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1 COMMENT(S)
  • Re:A linguistic turn of terrorism studies

Dear Editor
Europe's World
I read with great interest Jørgen Staun'article; A linguistic turn of terrorism studies in your magazine-30th June2009.
Although the analysis is not that far fetched, I find the use of certain terminology a bit disturbing, especially when it comes from academics and researchers. Words like "Men of Muslim faith" "Call for Jihad"and "Muslim youths"are in them selves misleading. Those who commit terrorism and violence are criminal and do not live up to Islam's teaching which does not allow taking any innocent life. Why are western researcher focusing on the religion of criminal and repeating this argument again and again. On top of this, it is totally wrong to present Jihad as a violent and terror advancing philosophy. Jihad first and foremost means to strive to be a better person. How come western intellectuals keep forgetting this fact. Terrorism and extremism has many explanations but cultural and religion are not part of it. If it was so then how would we explain all the violence which takes place in non-Muslim societies like India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Africa and Latin American and many terrorist movements in Europe.
Kind regards

Bashy Quraishy
Chair - ENAR Advisory Council-Brussels
Chair - Jewish Muslim Platform-Brussels
Mobile. 0045 40154771.
Tel&Fax. 0045 38881977
www.bashy.dk

By Bashy Quraishy on 7/4/2009 17:55
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