Examining the Role of Religion in Radicalization to Violent Islamist Extremism

• Published in: Studies in conflict and terrorism Vol. 35; no. 12; pp. 849 - 862
• Main Authors: Aly, Anne, Striegher, Jason-Leigh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2012; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Australia; Case studies; Communication; COUNTER TERRORISM; Counterterrorism; CRIMINAL OFFENDERS; Extremism; Imprisonment; Islam; Islamism; Qualitative analysis; Qualitative Methods; Radicalism; RELIGION; Religions; Religious fanaticism; TERRORISM; Trials; Violence; UNITED STATES; AUSTRALIA; Australia
• ISSN: 1057-610X; 1521-0731
• DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2012.720243

In this article, the authors apply the four-phase radicalization model proposed by Silber and Bhatt
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to a case study of Australia's first convicted terrorist, Jack Roche, based on communication with Roche after his incarceration and on a qualitative analysis of his trial. In doing so, they examine the validity of the four-phase model to a case of "home grown" terrorism and dissect the role of religion in the radicalization process. To conclude, the authors find that religion plays a far lesser role in radicalization toward violent extremism than the policy response contends and this has implications for counterterrorism programs that aim to address the drivers of violent extremism.