Mobilization for Violent Politicized Islam: Motivations of Former Participants in al-Shabaab [Paperback]

1.?Introduction? 2. The Kenyan State, its Muslim Citizens and their Early Reaction to Exclusion and State Repression??3.?On al-Shabaab? 4.?Pathways to Al-Shabaab? 5.?Returning From Al-Shabaab and Issues of Kenyan Returnees: Excursus? 6.?Conclusion

This book focuses on the involvement of some Kenyans in al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda based in Somalia, despite their countrys relative stability compared to Somalia.

'Some of the best work on terrorism is not the product of government or??think tank initiatives with big budgets but comes from independent researchers writing their Ph.D. thesis on a shoestring budget.??Dr Noor Zitzmann's dissertation is a fine example of this. Her bottom-up empirical study, based on courageous field work, challenges many of the standard explanations about the radicalisation of young people who join a foreign jihad  in this case, Kenyan Muslims who joined al-Shabaab??in Somalia.'

Alex P. Schmid, Distinguished Fellow, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, The Hague

'This book?is a compelling exploration of the intricate nexus between exclusionary political processes, religious identities, and violent mobilization in East Africa.?The result is a fresh perspective on the dynamics of extremist groups like Al-Shabaab and their ability to exploit Kenyas stratified polity. Through meticulous research and analysis, this book sheds light on the multifaceted factors that lead individuals to join violent groups, weaving together the intricate connections between Al-Qaeda's transnational network, religious narratives, and the repressive practices experienced by certain communities in Kenya. By examining how local, regional, and international dimensions of Al-Shabaab's militancy converge in Kenya, Noor provides a comprehensive understanding of the group's strategies and the broader implil³%