Islam in crisis: Observations by German religious scholar Michael Blume

The assumption that ‘Islam’ – usually conceived as a monolithic force – is on an expansionary path is widely shared. Islamists herald the onset of an age of Islamic renewal and dominance; anxious Westerners take to the streets against the ‘Islamisation’ of the occident; and colourful videos highlighting that Islam is set to overtake Christianity…

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Controversial Cleric, Abu Qatada, condemns ISIS beheadings as against Islam

Abu Qatada, the controversial Muslim cleric deported from the UK for his extremist views, states that beheading of journalists are against Islamic teachings. Speaking from his courtroom cell in Jordan, he told journalists: “Messengers should not be killed,” quoting the prophet Muhammad. The Salafist preacher has been in Jordan since last July, deported from the…

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Europe Needs to Embrace Islam by Jocelyne Cesari

August 29, 2014 Counter to the common interpretation, the appeal of radical anti-Western groups like ISIS among European Muslims is not driven primarily by socioeconomic deprivation. In fact, three interrelated factors play a more significant role. The first is the powerful presence of the Salafi version of Islam in the religious market of ideas. This…

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French ‘jihadist’ returned to France

Liberation 14.05.2013 Gilles Le Guen, who was arrested at the end of April in Mali, has been returned to France where he was immediately taken into custody by Central Directorate for Interior Intelligence.  The 58-year-old was arrested in the Timbuktu region of Mali by French army units, who have joint the Malian government in combating…

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Investigation into radical Islam in France

In this article, two Le Figaro reporters, Nadjet Cherigui and Axelle de Russé, interview Salafi burqa-wearing women in France to ask them their positions on the debate on its public legitimacy. They visit women in their homes in the banlieues and reveal that they are “elegant and feminine” with concerns about fashion and their children….

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