Radicalization And Homegrown Terrorism In Western Muslim Communities

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Source Analysis: Integration of Muslim Population
Since the September 11th attack, the growth of Muslim population in Western Europe and the United States has been a great issue of concern, especially on immigration policies, cultural identity, victimization, radicalization, and security. These issues have intensified tensions between Muslim communities and host countries characterized by riots, travel bans, high-profile murders, and terrorist-related attacks (Halim 237). In these states, Muslims own businesses while others have contributed a lot in academic and scientific research fields (Koopmans 199). However, various studies on Muslim immigrants show that most host countries have poor integration mechanisms which could directly or indirectly influence their relations. This paper is an analysis of some of these studies in an attempt to identify different strategies used to integrate the Muslim population and their significance.
Beutel, Alejandro J. "Radicalization and homegrown terrorism in Western Muslim communities: Lessons learned for America." Minaret of Freedom Institute (2007).
Radicalization and homegrown terrorism in Western Muslim communities: Lessons learned for America is a report purposed to offer background information on the motivation behind Muslim radicalization and other terrorist or terrorist-related activities. For clarity, the work of Beutel is divided into three parts. The first part addresses political, economic, and social challenges facing Muslims in the European Union. The second section presents the issues of integration and its influence in the radicalization process. The last section constitutes an analysis of “homegrown” terrorism in relation to violent local extremist groups.
According to the report, there are two different strategies that EU members use to deal with the presence of Muslim communities within the borders. The first strategy is a multicultural policy that aims at promoting tolerance and integration while preserving cultural identities and practices of immigrants and ethnic groups, common in the Netherlands and Great Britain (Beutel 12). On the other side, other countries such as France adopt assimilation. Assimilation as an integration strategy expects the immigrants or non-locals to adapt to the norms of its host country. The report further shows an overall ineffectiveness in Muslim integration in these countries, despite Muslims’ consistent desire to integrate into their host communities. The radicalization process consists of four vital steps, including cognitive opening, religious seeking, framing, and socialization. However, the cognitive opening is highly influenced by integration, dissatisfaction, and issues related to self-identity (Beutel 16). Religious seeking and framing are directly subject to the level of religious knowledge. In the last step, one graduates from being a learner to a committed member. The process of radicalization is encouraged by the presence of others with similar views, disconnection from the rest of society, and to some extent, internet usage. Lastly, the report recommends various strategies necessary for the prevention of radicalization and terrorist attacks. Most of these str...