The Causes of Islamic Radicalism

Jason Burke in The Observer today looks at the causes of Islamic radicalism in Britain.

"People who think kids do it because they are poorly integrated are wrong," said Mark Sageman, former CIA officer and terrorism expert. Sageman, a forensic psychiatrist, has studied the backgrounds of hundreds of militants and concluded that there is no "terrorist type or personality" nor evidence of psychological illness. Instead, Sageman points to small group dynamics as a key trigger. "Kids get together. They talk the talk. A few decide to act. These are self-organised groups of volunteers. Al-Qaeda is like Harvard. It doesn't need to recruit."

Imams at universities talk of widespread and profound anger and disaffection, as well as a deep cynicism towards political institutions. "For five years young Muslim people have been trying to influence a policy that they are profoundly opposed to without success," said one. "Naturally they are losing faith in the democratic institutions of the country. That means that their anger and frustration is more likely to be channelled elsewhere. I have had young people literally crying with frustration in front of me."

Ashraf Miah, 34, civil servant -- "There is no conflict between British and Muslim values. There are obvious differences in lifestyles, but that is an issue of choice - and regardless of which choice you make, it doesn't mean you can't be British ... it's a question of understanding and of dialogue. There are huge problems with the impact of the government's foreign policy on the Islamic world, but this isn't a conflict between Muslim values and British values; it's a conflict between an ethical foreign policy and an unethical one."