RT Article
T1 From Rigid to Moderate Salafism: Paths of (Re-)Conversion to Islam among Activists of a Muslim Organisation in Switzerland
JF Journal of Muslims in Europe
VO 9
IS 2
SP 196
OP 219
A1 Sheikhzadegan, Amir 1956-
LA English
YR 2020
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1698769121
AB Defining re-conversion as the re-embracement of one’s (neglected) faith, this article deals with the question of what relations can be identified between conversion/re-conversion to a Salafist reading of Islam, on the one hand, and life course circumstances, identity transformation, and social network features of the individuals concerned, on the other. Combining narrative, autobiographical interviews with qualitative social network analysis, four activists of a Muslim organisation in Switzerland known for its Salafist orientation are portrayed. The comparative analysis shows that, despite sharing the same approach to Islam, the four cases exhibit different modes of the impact of life course and social network on spiritual transformation and vice versa. The paper also discusses the term Salafism and its applicability to the interviewees.
K1 Islam
K1 Muslim organisation
K1 Salafism
K1 Switzerland
K1 Conversion
K1 Life Course
K1 re-conversion
K1 Social Networks
DO 10.1163/22117954-BJA10003