As part of his research, Wiktorowicz interviewed hundreds of Islamists in the United Kingdom. After compiling his interviews he came to the conclusion that — contrary to popular belief — very religious Muslims were in fact the people who ended up being the most resistant to radicalization.We still have a lot to learn about terrorism. We need open minds and a curiosity that will ask those stupid questions that reveal insights.
Fair, who has done a great deal of work on radicalization in Pakistan, said Wiktorowicz's work stayed with her forever. "It really was revelatory for me," she says.
Revelatory because, as it turns out, Wiktorowicz found that it was people who did not have a good grounding in the religion who were the most likely to be attracted by radical Islam.
Regards — Cliff
I'm glad you posted this. It's been my feeling for a long time that the best bulwark we will have against criminal terrorists hiding behind "radical Islam" (which is no more Islamic than "radical Christianity" in sects like the Branch Davidians or Westboro Baptists) are devout Muslims who are much closer to the source than we can ever be. By alienating those people via our bizarre penchant for demonizing a billion people over the actions of a handful, we are making ourselves far less secure rather than more. I'm encouraged that work is being done to corroborate this otherwise obvious fact.
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