The Reversed Global Mobilities of the Islamic State

An estimated 4,000 young Westerners have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State (IS). This paper examines this recent phenomenon by critically reviewing the current mainstream terrorism framework commonly used to understand IS and proposing an alternative model based on globalisation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for the academic study of religion
Main Author: Gwizdalski, Andrzej (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Equinox Publ. [2015]
In: Journal for the academic study of religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Islamischer Staat / Globalization / Mobility
IxTheo Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
BJ Islam
Further subjects:B Terrorism Social aspects
B Mobilities
B Terrorism
B Globalization
B Migration
B globilities
B Attitudes
B Religion
B Statehood (American politics)
B WESTERNERS (Western society)
B Islamic State (IS)
B ISLAMIC State (Organization)
B Identity
B Globalisation
B Community
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:An estimated 4,000 young Westerners have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State (IS). This paper examines this recent phenomenon by critically reviewing the current mainstream terrorism framework commonly used to understand IS and proposing an alternative model based on globalisation and mobilities theories. The global mobilities (or globilities) framework is applied through a review of recently published academic and non-academic literature on IS. Particular attention is paid to questions of statehood, religion, media and identity and their role in motivating Westerners to move to IS; reversed global flows of religiously motivated people are highlighted. The paper suggests that the global mobilities framework allows consideration of IS as other than just a terrorist organisation, arguing the people joining it could be viewed as migrants rather than simply terrorists and victims. The paper contributes a critical perspective allowing for an alternative understanding of IS and ways of dealing with this phenomenon.
ISSN:2047-7058
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the academic study of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1558/jasr.v28i3.28547