Al Muhajiroun: A Case Study in Contemporary Islamic Activism

Acknowledgements
Contents
Al Muhajiroun: A Case Study in Contemporary Islamic Activism
Preface
Chapter 1: Researching the Activists: Understanding Methods, Data, and Approaches
	Introduction
	A Brief Introduction to Al Muhajiroun- Contemporary Activists or Terror Network?
	A Primer on Radicalization, Extremism, and Terrorism
	A Case for Primary Data Through Engagement
	This Book and Its Position in Terrorism Studies
	The Ethnographic Approach
	This Book and Its Theoretical Approach
	Practical Methods, Opportunities, and Brick Walls
	This Book in Relation to Other Scholarly Works
	Chapter Outlines
	Conclusion
	Disclosures
Chapter 2: The Vanguards of Radicalism in the UK
	Introduction
	The Antecedents of Radicalism
	Radical Preachers
	Omar Bakri Mohammed
	Omar Bakri Mohammed and the Rise to Prominence
		From Prominence to Infamy
	Lessons Learned
	Relationships and Strange Bedfellows
	Conclusion
Chapter 3: Al Muhajiroun: The Early Days (1996–2004)
	Introduction
	Leaving Hizb ut Tahrir Behind
	Al Muhajiroun UK Established
	Al Muhajiroun Activities
	Al Muhajiroun Organizational Structure
	Recruitment
	Conclusion
Chapter 4: The Ideology of Al Muhajiroun
	Introduction
	Differently the Same
	All Jihadists Are Not Alike
	Unpacking the Notion of Ideology
	The Ideology of al Muhajiroun
	Ash’ariyyah/Maturidiyah Belief
	Ideological Transition
	The Aqeedah: Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah
	Covenant of Security
	Conclusion
Chapter 5: The Post Al Muhajiroun Years (2005–2014): Proscription and Other Means of Deterrence
	Introduction
	A New Form of Activism
	Activities
	The Fallout from the 2005 London Underground Bombing
	The Danish Cartoons
	More Legislative Momentum
	OBM in Lebanon
	Muslims Against Crusades
	US Embassy Protest, 2011
	Muslim Prisoners
	Muslim Patrols
		Lee Rigby Murder
	2014, A Year of Great Change
	Conclusion
Chapter 6: The Impacts of the Islamic State and Strategies of Control
	Introduction
	The Islamic State
	Emotive Influences for Mobilization
	Legitimacy Assessed
	IS Inspired Attacks and the Action/Reaction Cycle
	The Foreign Fighter Solution: Better to Kill Them than Allow Them to Return
	Proscription, Suppression, and Other Means of Deterrence in Britain
	The Trial of Anjem Choudary and Mizanur Rahman
	Conclusion
Chapter 7: Comparing Ideologies: Al Muhajiroun, Al Qaeda, and Islamic State
	Introduction
	Comparing Sources to Define Ideologies and Actions
	Shared Beliefs and Practices
	Differences in Purpose, Methodology, and Interpretations Leading to Action
	Raison d’être
	Methodologies and Goals
	Differences of Interpretation Leading to Action and Conflict
	A Time for Decision
	Conclusion
Chapter 8: Understanding and Managing the Threat
	Introduction
	Views from the Surface
	The Effects of Association
	A Snapshot of the Online Presence
	Revolution Muslim
	Not Radical Enough
	A View from the Inside
	A More Realistic Threat Assessment
	Current Management Strategies
	Community Reactions
	The Future of the ALM/ASWJ Movement
		Penetration by Law Enforcement
		Decapitation or Imprisonment of the Group Leader
		Enter a Legitimate Political Process
		Victory
		Widespread Community Support
		Defeated Brute Force
		Other Forms of Violence
	Traps and Opportunities
	Conclusion
Chapter 9: Conclusion: Summing up the Activists
	Summing Up Al Muhajiroun and the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Movement
	Changes and Different Conclusions
	Policy Recommendations
	A Look into the Future
	Concluding Thoughts
Appendix 1: ALM/ASWJ and Related Interviews
	2010
	2011
	2012
	2013
	2014
	2015
	2016
	2017
	2018
	2019
Appendix 2: Protests, Dawah Stalls, and Halaqah Sessions
	Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Protests
	English Defense League Protests
	Dawah Stalls
	Closed Halaqah Sessions
Appendix 3: Radical Preachers
	Abu Hamza al Masri
	Abdullah el-Faisal
	Abu Qatada
Appendix 4: Arabic Terms Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index