Proselytizing Islam — Problematizing "Salafism". (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olsson, Susanne
• Is Part Of: Muslim world. Volume 104:Number 1/2(2014)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Islam -- Periodicals; Islam -- Relations -- Christianity -- Periodicals; Christianity and other religions -- Islam -- Periodicals; Missions -- Periodicals; 297
• DOI: 10.1111/muwo.12046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0027-4909

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This article discusses the contemporary European setting pertaining to Islamic interpretations, mainly so called Salafi Islam. The empirical material is based on publications by a Swedish group that conducts street <italic>da῾wa</italic>, aiming to proselytize among non‐Muslims. The ideology, as presented in official publications to be used for <italic>da῾wa</italic>, is described and analyzed as part of a larger <italic>da῾wa</italic>‐movement with Salafi‐inclinations in Europe. The group is not unique, but rather one example of many in Europe, at least concerning the activism advocated. The presentation of the group serves to reflect upon global influences and similarities among contemporary Islamic <italic>da῾wa</italic> activism, as well as effects that the national context has on the choice of predominant themes addressed by the group as well as interpretative strategies used. The overarching aim with the article is to problematize the common usage of the concept Salafi among scholars of religion to describe and characterize contemporary Islamic groups of various kinds. The conclusion calls for a more nuanced approach concerning conceptualizations and the use of typologies in studying contemporary Islamic groups in a minority setting.</p> </abstract>