gainst a backdrop of the humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan and broader realignment by the U... more gainst a backdrop of the humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan and broader realignment by the United States in the Middle East, one thing is clear; that Western attempts to win “hearts and minds” in the Muslim world have largely failed. The Islamic world has not buckled to U.S. or Western demands and, not-withstanding the actions of a few powerful elites, has continued to resist external mil-itary and political intervention, including human rights reforms. There may be many reasons for this, yet a lack of involvement from foreign policy practitioners educated in international relations, international human rights, constitutional law, and po-litical science is not one of them. Instead, it might be argued that the form and sub-stance of knowledge informing engagement with the Muslim world has been inherently premised on Western ways of thinking, with this shaping exogenous efforts at democracy promotion. These attempts fundamentally misrecognize the multifac-eted dynamics that shape contestations of power and society in Muslim societies. The two books examined here offer very impor-tant yet also vastly different studies into the dimensions of this, examining aspects of piety, politics, and culture in the Islamic Republics of Pakistan and Iran, two nations that have resisted Western political and military influences for prolonged periods.
Security, Religion, and the Rule of Law : International Perspectives,, 2023
Conclusion
In relation to national security and challenging terrorism and violent extremism
whil... more Conclusion
In relation to national security and challenging terrorism and violent extremism while also addressing foreign threats, it becomes apparent that Freedom of Religion or Belief is an important contributor to social cohesion, peacebuilding, and economic development. It fosters a sense of acceptance, respect, and recognition between different communities while contributing to the cohesion necessary for the predictable social and political circumstances that provide certainty for private sector growth and opportunity. Most importantly, in the context of this book, these are the foundation stones of a viable and sustainable national security policy.
Security, Religion and the Rule of Law: International Perspectives, 2023
This chapter will view the intersection of freedom of religion and citizen-ship through an issue ... more This chapter will view the intersection of freedom of religion and citizen-ship through an issue at the cutting edge of the national security paradigm: foreign combatants fighting for a religious cause in other nations. The rise and subsequent fall of the Islamic State Movement led to several legislative, judicial, and philosophical challenges across Western contexts. A small, but not insignificant number of locally born Muslim citizens not only would turn their back on their country of birth but would leave to fight, kill, and often die in the conflict in the name of a movement explicitly hostile to Western liberal democracy. This raised questions about not only the relationship be-tween citizenship and loyalty, but how these concepts related to religious adherence and the management of potential threats carried out in the name of religion.
While some primarily European states adopted policies of reintegration, others including Australia and the UK introduced legislation to strip citizen-ship from those proven to have fought in said conflicts, a move designed to simultaneously punish and deter. This chapter demonstrates that in ad-dition to targeting terrorism, these new laws, through their wide potential application, extend too far, threatening freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Furthermore, as found by the Australian High Court in June 2022, they were, in some forms, unconstitutional. While these laws may currently target Muslim communities, they have much wider potential applicability to other religious minorities. Citizenship laws are even more problematic in Asian contexts, justifying the extremes of exclusion and violence resulting in the persecution of Muslim communities. This chapter explores the legislative, jurisprudential, and liberal philosophical challenges of this decision by a group of select Western and non-Western states and considers implications for freedom of religion on a global scale.
This article aims to explore the emergence and consolidation of various actors and sympathisers i... more This article aims to explore the emergence and consolidation of various actors and sympathisers into the Australian 'anti-lockdown' freedom movement, a diverse, hybrid anti-government movement that emerged during the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a qualitative longitudinal analysis of data from the online posts of a prominent branch of the anti-lockdown freedom movement, we identify the movement's core narratives, motivations, and forms of action, revealing how this social movement developed into a complex form of anti-government extremist movement that combines and conflates anti-institutional, anti-elite sentiments, and anti-government attitudes and beliefs through conspiratorial narratives. Drawing upon interrelated strands of social movement theory and the broader body of research on conspiracy theories and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on radicalisation to extremism, we offer a conceptual framework to understand the movement's emergence, consolidation, and development. This study furthers our understanding of how conspiracies and disinformation can be utilised and fed into anti-government extremism during times of crisis and emergency.
In the past decade multiculturalism across Western nations has come under sustained critique and ... more In the past decade multiculturalism across Western nations has come under sustained critique and attack from its political opponents. It has been asserted that multiculturalism leads to the creation of ghettos and segregated communities, which undermine liberal democratic values and heighten the risk of attraction to extremist violence, particularly in regard to Muslim communities. The ferocity of these attacks has led many scholars to claim that multiculturalism is ‘in retreat’. But such claims have rarely been tested as they relate to publicly funded government agencies and institutions. These are key sites governing the daily practice and representation of multiculturalism that impact on populations in everyday life. In the Australian context, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is a pivotal example of a multicultural institution, with its programming and community engagement widely considered among the world’s best practice in promoting pluralism and respect between cultures....
Young People and the Politics of Outrage and Hope, 2019
This chapter considers what a ‘diy citizenship’ approach can offer to analyses of the everyday po... more This chapter considers what a ‘diy citizenship’ approach can offer to analyses of the everyday political practices of first and second generation youth of Muslim migrant communities who are outside both radical and mainstream politics.
We argue that the experiences of these youth raise interesting questions about political practice and citizenship for both youth studies and migration studies in the context of changing opportunities for youth engagement and expression, and generational shifts in the multicultural politics of representation.
Youth citizenship studies has seen a move towards a broader conceptual framework that considers how activities such as cultural production and consumption, personal and local networking, and work on the self-function for young people as forms of political participation. Further, in super-diverse, multicultural countries such as Australia, we also see shifts away from a traditional focus on ethnic community representation and claim-making to efforts to understand how the multiplicity and fluidity of cultures enable less categorical forms of political identification and expression, especially for younger people. However, it is only recently that these frameworks have been applied to the circumstances of young Muslims of migrant background in non-Muslim majority countries. In this chapter we outline how a diy citizenship approach relates to migrant background Muslim youth who are frequently regulated for appropriate forms of both youth and ethnic participation. We consider how it has been taken up amongst scholars researching Muslim youth in different contexts, and suggest how it might be developed for future use.
The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue
to occupy a socioe... more The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue
to occupy a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. On key indicators of
unemployment rate, income, type of occupation and home ownership, Muslims
consistently under-perform the national average. This pattern is evident in the
last three Census data (2001, 2006 and 2011). Limited access to resources and
a sense of marginalisation challenge full engagement with society and the
natural growth of emotional affiliation with Australia. Muslim active citizenship
is hampered by socioeconomic barriers. At the same time, an increasingly
proactive class of educated Muslim elite has emerged to claim a voice for
Muslims in Australia and promote citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Keywords: Muslims; active citizenship; socioeconomic marginalisation; civic elite;
multiculturalism
This book explores men's attraction to violent extremist movements and terrorism.
Drawing on m... more This book explores men's attraction to violent extremist movements and terrorism.
Drawing on multi-method, interdisciplinary research, this book explores the centrality of masculinity to violent extremist recruitment narratives across the religious and political spectrum. Chapters examine the intersection of masculinity and violent extremism across a spectrum of movements including: the far right, Islamist organizations, male supremacist groups, and the far left. The book identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity intersects with, stands in contrast to and challenges extremist representations of masculinity. It offers an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively and identifies areas for both policy making and future research.
“This book takes an obvious but largely neglected question seriously: Why are men the overwhelming majority in violent extremist groups? Drawing on rich empirical research, it gives a persuasive account of the role of masculinity in far right, jihadism and anti-women movements. This compelling book will be an essential source for anyone interested in gender, radicalization and violence.”
Lucas Gottzén, Professor of Child and Youth Studies, Stockholm University, Sweden
“This book is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the role masculinities play in violent extremist groups of diverse ideologies – far right, Islamist and far left. It provides new empirical data and offers clear and practical solutions for policy makers looking to put theory into practice, and help men resist extreme groups.”
Elizabeth Pearson, Lecturer in Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
“The central role and allure of narrow, extremely patriarchal understandings of gender roles as ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors in violent extremist movements across the political and ideological spectrum is too often overlooked. This book is thus a most welcome, crucial and necessary contribution to current debates on violent extremism.”
Henri Myrttinen, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Bremen, Germany
“Masculinity and Violent Extremism proves a detailed and valuable contribution to the literature, helping readers better understand the role of masculinities in contemporary violent extremist movements. A must read.”
Joana Cook, Assistant Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence, Leiden University, Netherlands
"At a time when the role of masculinity in exacerbating political violence has become inescapable, Masculinity and Violent Extremism gives the most in-depth empirical accounts thus far. With rich comparisons of violent masculinities in Australia, the book gives clarity about the enormity of the challenge and some steps which might be taken to address it. Masculinity and Violent Extremism is essential reading for anyone with an interest in gender and violence in contemporary politics."
David Duriesmith, Lecturer in Gender and Politics, University of Sheffield, UK
“This gripping book explores the role of masculinities in violent extremism, a topic which is more often skirted around than rigorously investigated. No one wants to blame men and masculinity per se for violent extremist events, yet there is no denying that men dominate extremist movements and are much more often involved in acts of extremist violence. One of the virtues of this book, in my opinion, is to avoid relying on broad and rather empty generalisations like ‘toxic masculinity’. Rather, the book treats the problem of masculinities in violent extremism as it should be handled, with due attention to the complexities of gender and other socio-cultural factors that are involved. Early on, the reader is given a succinct yet incisive review of the literature in the field. Subsequently, empirical data obtained from men themselves and from popular extremist network sites allows the authors to thoroughly explore the phenomenon, and to give convincing evidence for their analysis and explanation. To my mind, the most compelling section of the book articulates the intersection of extremist and normative masculinity, depicting significant overlap between the discourse of violent extremist organisations and the norms of hegemonic masculinity. A welcome strength of this book is to end on a chapter which draws out for scholars and practitioners the implications for police and practice. The authors amply demonstrate the applicability of their study to international contexts.”
Rapid Evidence Assessment on Alternative Narratives, 2021
Key Findings:
1. Alternative narratives can be more effective at challenging extremist narratives... more Key Findings: 1. Alternative narratives can be more effective at challenging extremist narratives because they can directly address real and perceived grievances as well as the psycho-social needs that may lead to engagement with extremist discourse 2. There has been a focus within P/CVE on alternative narratives that address jihadi inspired or attributed narratives, and there is little attention being paid to far-right narratives within an official capacity. 3. The role and impact that gender and gendered language plays in extremist narratives remains underdeveloped and under-researched. The literature suggests that much more focus needs to be placed on alternative narrative approaches that incorporate gender perspectives and language. 4. The most effective alternative narrative programs were grassroots pilot programs that incorporated alternative messaging into wider resilience and capacity building programs that included education, vocational and social work workshops. 5. Evaluation of the efficacy of alternative narrative programs is extremely limited. It often relies on ‘clicks’ and ‘comments’ alone. Providers have built business cases around these measures, potentially resulting in significant expenditure for little if any gain.
Recent cases of terrorist violence by jihadist, far right, and male supremacist actors share a co... more Recent cases of terrorist violence by jihadist, far right, and male supremacist actors share a common, yet underexplored feature – the aim to impose extreme patriarchal political and social orders which are anti-feminist and even misogynistic. This exploratory article draws on several cases across these three groups to highlight two findings. First, we demonstrate that these narratives are increasingly utilized in justifications for violence, and women, and those promoting gender equality, are targeted. Second, that male supremacy is itself is increas-ingly a distinct anti-feminist ideological motivation for violence. We argue that this topic should be considered and assessed to a greater extent in terrorism scholarship, and in practical efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism.
Despite a significant body of scholarship exploring the impact of securitisation and racism upon A... more Despite a significant body of scholarship exploring the impact of securitisation and racism upon Australian Muslims, comparatively little work has been undertaken exploring the specific socio-economic challenges facing Muslim communities and resultant impacts upon citizenship. Even less research has looked at this in the context of the ‘9/11 generation’ of young Western Muslims born at or just prior to the turn of the century. Drawing upon Nancy Fraser’s social justice framework, this article argues that Muslim citizenship is not only affected by a persistent lack of recognition, but also by ongoing socio-economic disadvantage. Drawing on specially tabulated census data, this research article explores the socio-economic status and trajectories of Australian Muslims, paying particular attention to the situation of those born in Australia. It concludes with a call to pay more attention to the way in which the interplay between (often intergenerational) material marginalisation and persistent stigmatisation and misrecognition affects Australian Muslims’ civic and political activism.
The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Gender and Society, 2022
Oceania is sometimes referred to as the ‘liquid continent’. Encompassing over 42 million people s... more Oceania is sometimes referred to as the ‘liquid continent’. Encompassing over 42 million people speaking over 5,000 languages across 14 countries and spanning 8.5 million square kilometres, it is difficult to talk uniformly about matters of religion or masculinity in the region. Statistical comparisons carry little weight for a number of reasons, including the small size of many Oceanic nations and the dominance of the two largest countries in the region, Australia and New Zealand. Further, broad patterns of religious development impacting the Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have little to no impact in the cities of Melbourne, Perth or Dunedin. One must think creatively to seek to distil the concepts of masculinity and religion into a cohesive and substantive discussion of developments on such a broad scale. This chapter proposes to do so through an analysis of the intersection of religion, masculinity and sport; specifically, rugby union, known colloquially as the ‘game they play in heaven’, and rugby league.
Debates abound about low levels of engagement in mainstream civic life on the part of young Musli... more Debates abound about low levels of engagement in mainstream civic life on the part of young Muslims from immigrant backgrounds living in non-Muslim majority countries. This paper investigates the emergent types of civic practice enacted by first or second generation Australian youth of major Muslim migrant communities, and suggests that in order to better understand the commonly identified problem of low levels of civic participation amongst this group it is necessary to situate the debate in broader conceptual frameworks regarding the shift towards ‘do-it-yourself’ citizenship on the part of the current generation. The paper argues for a focus on practices of youth cultural production and consumption, civic networks in everyday spaces, and work on the self as new forms of civic engagement, drawing on qualitative research with 80 young Muslims, who are outside both radical and mainstream formal associational practice.
This research provides a preliminary evidence base to understand the extent to which violent extr... more This research provides a preliminary evidence base to understand the extent to which violent extremist narratives have a wider resonance with men in Victoria, Australia. It identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity in men intersect with, and challenge, extremist conceptions. It consequently provides an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively.
The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch, 2021
Chapter Four of my just released book 'The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist... more Chapter Four of my just released book 'The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch' (Routledge 2021). This chapter explores the spectrum of male supremacism, its utility in the new populist movements, different conceptions of anti-women violence and makes the case that male supremacism must be considered a new form of violent extremism that targets women on the basis of gender.
This chapter develops some preliminary considerations for understanding what is occurring in the ... more This chapter develops some preliminary considerations for understanding what is occurring in the Philippines, Russia and India; three nations whose influence on the world is growing daily. I argue that clear similarities exist in the factors shaping support for populist strong men including a declining middle class, the erosion of trust in public institutions and the changing status of men – the same challenges to citizenship and social cohesion in the West. However, I also consider the mobilisation of both masculinity and religion by populist leaders in each country and how social marginalisation and a demonstrated willingness to resort to violence are dramatically undermining democracy in each nation with potentially detrimental consequences for international security.
Governments worldwide are missing a key element of crisis response: they have not fully accounted... more Governments worldwide are missing a key element of crisis response: they have not fully accounted for the acceleration of violent extremist narratives as part of their disaster management.
National and state / provincial governments must not only stamp out misinformation, but they must also account for the ways that disinformation and conspiracy theories fuel the acceleration of violent extremist narratives and the potential for violence by ideologically motivated extremist individuals and groups seeking to exploit the situation.
2017 Book Chapter in The Transformation of Citizenship: Struggle resistance and Violence (Vol. 3)... more 2017 Book Chapter in The Transformation of Citizenship: Struggle resistance and Violence (Vol. 3) Routledge.
gainst a backdrop of the humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan and broader realignment by the U... more gainst a backdrop of the humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan and broader realignment by the United States in the Middle East, one thing is clear; that Western attempts to win “hearts and minds” in the Muslim world have largely failed. The Islamic world has not buckled to U.S. or Western demands and, not-withstanding the actions of a few powerful elites, has continued to resist external mil-itary and political intervention, including human rights reforms. There may be many reasons for this, yet a lack of involvement from foreign policy practitioners educated in international relations, international human rights, constitutional law, and po-litical science is not one of them. Instead, it might be argued that the form and sub-stance of knowledge informing engagement with the Muslim world has been inherently premised on Western ways of thinking, with this shaping exogenous efforts at democracy promotion. These attempts fundamentally misrecognize the multifac-eted dynamics that shape contestations of power and society in Muslim societies. The two books examined here offer very impor-tant yet also vastly different studies into the dimensions of this, examining aspects of piety, politics, and culture in the Islamic Republics of Pakistan and Iran, two nations that have resisted Western political and military influences for prolonged periods.
Security, Religion, and the Rule of Law : International Perspectives,, 2023
Conclusion
In relation to national security and challenging terrorism and violent extremism
whil... more Conclusion
In relation to national security and challenging terrorism and violent extremism while also addressing foreign threats, it becomes apparent that Freedom of Religion or Belief is an important contributor to social cohesion, peacebuilding, and economic development. It fosters a sense of acceptance, respect, and recognition between different communities while contributing to the cohesion necessary for the predictable social and political circumstances that provide certainty for private sector growth and opportunity. Most importantly, in the context of this book, these are the foundation stones of a viable and sustainable national security policy.
Security, Religion and the Rule of Law: International Perspectives, 2023
This chapter will view the intersection of freedom of religion and citizen-ship through an issue ... more This chapter will view the intersection of freedom of religion and citizen-ship through an issue at the cutting edge of the national security paradigm: foreign combatants fighting for a religious cause in other nations. The rise and subsequent fall of the Islamic State Movement led to several legislative, judicial, and philosophical challenges across Western contexts. A small, but not insignificant number of locally born Muslim citizens not only would turn their back on their country of birth but would leave to fight, kill, and often die in the conflict in the name of a movement explicitly hostile to Western liberal democracy. This raised questions about not only the relationship be-tween citizenship and loyalty, but how these concepts related to religious adherence and the management of potential threats carried out in the name of religion.
While some primarily European states adopted policies of reintegration, others including Australia and the UK introduced legislation to strip citizen-ship from those proven to have fought in said conflicts, a move designed to simultaneously punish and deter. This chapter demonstrates that in ad-dition to targeting terrorism, these new laws, through their wide potential application, extend too far, threatening freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Furthermore, as found by the Australian High Court in June 2022, they were, in some forms, unconstitutional. While these laws may currently target Muslim communities, they have much wider potential applicability to other religious minorities. Citizenship laws are even more problematic in Asian contexts, justifying the extremes of exclusion and violence resulting in the persecution of Muslim communities. This chapter explores the legislative, jurisprudential, and liberal philosophical challenges of this decision by a group of select Western and non-Western states and considers implications for freedom of religion on a global scale.
This article aims to explore the emergence and consolidation of various actors and sympathisers i... more This article aims to explore the emergence and consolidation of various actors and sympathisers into the Australian 'anti-lockdown' freedom movement, a diverse, hybrid anti-government movement that emerged during the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a qualitative longitudinal analysis of data from the online posts of a prominent branch of the anti-lockdown freedom movement, we identify the movement's core narratives, motivations, and forms of action, revealing how this social movement developed into a complex form of anti-government extremist movement that combines and conflates anti-institutional, anti-elite sentiments, and anti-government attitudes and beliefs through conspiratorial narratives. Drawing upon interrelated strands of social movement theory and the broader body of research on conspiracy theories and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on radicalisation to extremism, we offer a conceptual framework to understand the movement's emergence, consolidation, and development. This study furthers our understanding of how conspiracies and disinformation can be utilised and fed into anti-government extremism during times of crisis and emergency.
In the past decade multiculturalism across Western nations has come under sustained critique and ... more In the past decade multiculturalism across Western nations has come under sustained critique and attack from its political opponents. It has been asserted that multiculturalism leads to the creation of ghettos and segregated communities, which undermine liberal democratic values and heighten the risk of attraction to extremist violence, particularly in regard to Muslim communities. The ferocity of these attacks has led many scholars to claim that multiculturalism is ‘in retreat’. But such claims have rarely been tested as they relate to publicly funded government agencies and institutions. These are key sites governing the daily practice and representation of multiculturalism that impact on populations in everyday life. In the Australian context, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is a pivotal example of a multicultural institution, with its programming and community engagement widely considered among the world’s best practice in promoting pluralism and respect between cultures....
Young People and the Politics of Outrage and Hope, 2019
This chapter considers what a ‘diy citizenship’ approach can offer to analyses of the everyday po... more This chapter considers what a ‘diy citizenship’ approach can offer to analyses of the everyday political practices of first and second generation youth of Muslim migrant communities who are outside both radical and mainstream politics.
We argue that the experiences of these youth raise interesting questions about political practice and citizenship for both youth studies and migration studies in the context of changing opportunities for youth engagement and expression, and generational shifts in the multicultural politics of representation.
Youth citizenship studies has seen a move towards a broader conceptual framework that considers how activities such as cultural production and consumption, personal and local networking, and work on the self-function for young people as forms of political participation. Further, in super-diverse, multicultural countries such as Australia, we also see shifts away from a traditional focus on ethnic community representation and claim-making to efforts to understand how the multiplicity and fluidity of cultures enable less categorical forms of political identification and expression, especially for younger people. However, it is only recently that these frameworks have been applied to the circumstances of young Muslims of migrant background in non-Muslim majority countries. In this chapter we outline how a diy citizenship approach relates to migrant background Muslim youth who are frequently regulated for appropriate forms of both youth and ethnic participation. We consider how it has been taken up amongst scholars researching Muslim youth in different contexts, and suggest how it might be developed for future use.
The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue
to occupy a socioe... more The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue
to occupy a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. On key indicators of
unemployment rate, income, type of occupation and home ownership, Muslims
consistently under-perform the national average. This pattern is evident in the
last three Census data (2001, 2006 and 2011). Limited access to resources and
a sense of marginalisation challenge full engagement with society and the
natural growth of emotional affiliation with Australia. Muslim active citizenship
is hampered by socioeconomic barriers. At the same time, an increasingly
proactive class of educated Muslim elite has emerged to claim a voice for
Muslims in Australia and promote citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Keywords: Muslims; active citizenship; socioeconomic marginalisation; civic elite;
multiculturalism
This book explores men's attraction to violent extremist movements and terrorism.
Drawing on m... more This book explores men's attraction to violent extremist movements and terrorism.
Drawing on multi-method, interdisciplinary research, this book explores the centrality of masculinity to violent extremist recruitment narratives across the religious and political spectrum. Chapters examine the intersection of masculinity and violent extremism across a spectrum of movements including: the far right, Islamist organizations, male supremacist groups, and the far left. The book identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity intersects with, stands in contrast to and challenges extremist representations of masculinity. It offers an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively and identifies areas for both policy making and future research.
“This book takes an obvious but largely neglected question seriously: Why are men the overwhelming majority in violent extremist groups? Drawing on rich empirical research, it gives a persuasive account of the role of masculinity in far right, jihadism and anti-women movements. This compelling book will be an essential source for anyone interested in gender, radicalization and violence.”
Lucas Gottzén, Professor of Child and Youth Studies, Stockholm University, Sweden
“This book is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the role masculinities play in violent extremist groups of diverse ideologies – far right, Islamist and far left. It provides new empirical data and offers clear and practical solutions for policy makers looking to put theory into practice, and help men resist extreme groups.”
Elizabeth Pearson, Lecturer in Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
“The central role and allure of narrow, extremely patriarchal understandings of gender roles as ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors in violent extremist movements across the political and ideological spectrum is too often overlooked. This book is thus a most welcome, crucial and necessary contribution to current debates on violent extremism.”
Henri Myrttinen, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Bremen, Germany
“Masculinity and Violent Extremism proves a detailed and valuable contribution to the literature, helping readers better understand the role of masculinities in contemporary violent extremist movements. A must read.”
Joana Cook, Assistant Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence, Leiden University, Netherlands
"At a time when the role of masculinity in exacerbating political violence has become inescapable, Masculinity and Violent Extremism gives the most in-depth empirical accounts thus far. With rich comparisons of violent masculinities in Australia, the book gives clarity about the enormity of the challenge and some steps which might be taken to address it. Masculinity and Violent Extremism is essential reading for anyone with an interest in gender and violence in contemporary politics."
David Duriesmith, Lecturer in Gender and Politics, University of Sheffield, UK
“This gripping book explores the role of masculinities in violent extremism, a topic which is more often skirted around than rigorously investigated. No one wants to blame men and masculinity per se for violent extremist events, yet there is no denying that men dominate extremist movements and are much more often involved in acts of extremist violence. One of the virtues of this book, in my opinion, is to avoid relying on broad and rather empty generalisations like ‘toxic masculinity’. Rather, the book treats the problem of masculinities in violent extremism as it should be handled, with due attention to the complexities of gender and other socio-cultural factors that are involved. Early on, the reader is given a succinct yet incisive review of the literature in the field. Subsequently, empirical data obtained from men themselves and from popular extremist network sites allows the authors to thoroughly explore the phenomenon, and to give convincing evidence for their analysis and explanation. To my mind, the most compelling section of the book articulates the intersection of extremist and normative masculinity, depicting significant overlap between the discourse of violent extremist organisations and the norms of hegemonic masculinity. A welcome strength of this book is to end on a chapter which draws out for scholars and practitioners the implications for police and practice. The authors amply demonstrate the applicability of their study to international contexts.”
Rapid Evidence Assessment on Alternative Narratives, 2021
Key Findings:
1. Alternative narratives can be more effective at challenging extremist narratives... more Key Findings: 1. Alternative narratives can be more effective at challenging extremist narratives because they can directly address real and perceived grievances as well as the psycho-social needs that may lead to engagement with extremist discourse 2. There has been a focus within P/CVE on alternative narratives that address jihadi inspired or attributed narratives, and there is little attention being paid to far-right narratives within an official capacity. 3. The role and impact that gender and gendered language plays in extremist narratives remains underdeveloped and under-researched. The literature suggests that much more focus needs to be placed on alternative narrative approaches that incorporate gender perspectives and language. 4. The most effective alternative narrative programs were grassroots pilot programs that incorporated alternative messaging into wider resilience and capacity building programs that included education, vocational and social work workshops. 5. Evaluation of the efficacy of alternative narrative programs is extremely limited. It often relies on ‘clicks’ and ‘comments’ alone. Providers have built business cases around these measures, potentially resulting in significant expenditure for little if any gain.
Recent cases of terrorist violence by jihadist, far right, and male supremacist actors share a co... more Recent cases of terrorist violence by jihadist, far right, and male supremacist actors share a common, yet underexplored feature – the aim to impose extreme patriarchal political and social orders which are anti-feminist and even misogynistic. This exploratory article draws on several cases across these three groups to highlight two findings. First, we demonstrate that these narratives are increasingly utilized in justifications for violence, and women, and those promoting gender equality, are targeted. Second, that male supremacy is itself is increas-ingly a distinct anti-feminist ideological motivation for violence. We argue that this topic should be considered and assessed to a greater extent in terrorism scholarship, and in practical efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism.
Despite a significant body of scholarship exploring the impact of securitisation and racism upon A... more Despite a significant body of scholarship exploring the impact of securitisation and racism upon Australian Muslims, comparatively little work has been undertaken exploring the specific socio-economic challenges facing Muslim communities and resultant impacts upon citizenship. Even less research has looked at this in the context of the ‘9/11 generation’ of young Western Muslims born at or just prior to the turn of the century. Drawing upon Nancy Fraser’s social justice framework, this article argues that Muslim citizenship is not only affected by a persistent lack of recognition, but also by ongoing socio-economic disadvantage. Drawing on specially tabulated census data, this research article explores the socio-economic status and trajectories of Australian Muslims, paying particular attention to the situation of those born in Australia. It concludes with a call to pay more attention to the way in which the interplay between (often intergenerational) material marginalisation and persistent stigmatisation and misrecognition affects Australian Muslims’ civic and political activism.
The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Gender and Society, 2022
Oceania is sometimes referred to as the ‘liquid continent’. Encompassing over 42 million people s... more Oceania is sometimes referred to as the ‘liquid continent’. Encompassing over 42 million people speaking over 5,000 languages across 14 countries and spanning 8.5 million square kilometres, it is difficult to talk uniformly about matters of religion or masculinity in the region. Statistical comparisons carry little weight for a number of reasons, including the small size of many Oceanic nations and the dominance of the two largest countries in the region, Australia and New Zealand. Further, broad patterns of religious development impacting the Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have little to no impact in the cities of Melbourne, Perth or Dunedin. One must think creatively to seek to distil the concepts of masculinity and religion into a cohesive and substantive discussion of developments on such a broad scale. This chapter proposes to do so through an analysis of the intersection of religion, masculinity and sport; specifically, rugby union, known colloquially as the ‘game they play in heaven’, and rugby league.
Debates abound about low levels of engagement in mainstream civic life on the part of young Musli... more Debates abound about low levels of engagement in mainstream civic life on the part of young Muslims from immigrant backgrounds living in non-Muslim majority countries. This paper investigates the emergent types of civic practice enacted by first or second generation Australian youth of major Muslim migrant communities, and suggests that in order to better understand the commonly identified problem of low levels of civic participation amongst this group it is necessary to situate the debate in broader conceptual frameworks regarding the shift towards ‘do-it-yourself’ citizenship on the part of the current generation. The paper argues for a focus on practices of youth cultural production and consumption, civic networks in everyday spaces, and work on the self as new forms of civic engagement, drawing on qualitative research with 80 young Muslims, who are outside both radical and mainstream formal associational practice.
This research provides a preliminary evidence base to understand the extent to which violent extr... more This research provides a preliminary evidence base to understand the extent to which violent extremist narratives have a wider resonance with men in Victoria, Australia. It identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity in men intersect with, and challenge, extremist conceptions. It consequently provides an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively.
The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch, 2021
Chapter Four of my just released book 'The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist... more Chapter Four of my just released book 'The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch' (Routledge 2021). This chapter explores the spectrum of male supremacism, its utility in the new populist movements, different conceptions of anti-women violence and makes the case that male supremacism must be considered a new form of violent extremism that targets women on the basis of gender.
This chapter develops some preliminary considerations for understanding what is occurring in the ... more This chapter develops some preliminary considerations for understanding what is occurring in the Philippines, Russia and India; three nations whose influence on the world is growing daily. I argue that clear similarities exist in the factors shaping support for populist strong men including a declining middle class, the erosion of trust in public institutions and the changing status of men – the same challenges to citizenship and social cohesion in the West. However, I also consider the mobilisation of both masculinity and religion by populist leaders in each country and how social marginalisation and a demonstrated willingness to resort to violence are dramatically undermining democracy in each nation with potentially detrimental consequences for international security.
Governments worldwide are missing a key element of crisis response: they have not fully accounted... more Governments worldwide are missing a key element of crisis response: they have not fully accounted for the acceleration of violent extremist narratives as part of their disaster management.
National and state / provincial governments must not only stamp out misinformation, but they must also account for the ways that disinformation and conspiracy theories fuel the acceleration of violent extremist narratives and the potential for violence by ideologically motivated extremist individuals and groups seeking to exploit the situation.
2017 Book Chapter in The Transformation of Citizenship: Struggle resistance and Violence (Vol. 3)... more 2017 Book Chapter in The Transformation of Citizenship: Struggle resistance and Violence (Vol. 3) Routledge.
In the past decade a vast body of research has addressed aspects of Muslim identity and existence... more In the past decade a vast body of research has addressed aspects of Muslim identity and existence in Western multicultural liberal democracies including Britain, Canada and Australia. This has included a more recent focus upon issues of social inclusion and exclusion. These studies have focussed largely on external factors impacting upon exclusion including socio-economic status and ethno-cultural racism as influences upon Muslim identities and practice. Internal influences within Islam and the manner in which these interact with other social influences to contribute to social inclusion and exclusion have been largely overlooked.
This paper draws upon extensive fieldwork with Australian born Muslim men in Melbourne, Australia. These men, including Muslim hip-hop group The Brothahood and Public intellectual Waleed Aly have made significant contributions to promoting social inclusion within the framework of Australian multiculturalism, where the emergence of Muslim public figures is very recent. The paper also draws upon over 4000 pages of listening surveillance device and phone intercept transcripts involving Australia’s first convicted terrorist group, the Benbrika Jama’ah (the first time permission has been granted) to examine issues of social exclusion. This research focuses upon the centrality of Islam to cultural and political actions by Muslim men in the public sphere. Employing a Bourdieuian analytical frame the paper highlights the multitude of ways that elements of Islam have interacted with other social influences to shape civic and religious practice. Findings revealed include the significance of the form of Islam practiced (Tasuwuuf, traditional Madhabs, Salafism), the vital role of family, female influences and role models, non-Muslim interaction, cultural and educational capital, quality of employment experiences, interactions with the multicultural state and wider western cultural influences.
This research is amongst the most in-depth studies of the role that Islam plays in social engagement by Muslim men in the multicultural context and seeks to contribute to the broader body of knowledge on the relationship between social inclusion and religion.
The Truth of the Matter: Conflicting Claims to Islamic Legitimacy in the Context of Australian M... more The Truth of the Matter: Conflicting Claims to Islamic Legitimacy in the Context of Australian Multiculturalism
Islam in Australia has evolved dramatically in Australia in the past decade (2000-2010). In the face of intense scrutiny from Government, security, media and the wider public, Muslim Australians have been forced to confront key existential questions about what it is to be Muslim living in a Western secular nation and to respond to these challenges.
The paper traces how the events of September 11 2001 and 7/7 2005 have shaped the development of Australian Islam and reveals the emergence of Australian born young Muslim men and women who possess the necessary cultural capital to act with great agency and skill in shaping representations of Australian Islam from a variety of different political perspectives. Whilst the emergence of ‘moderate' Muslims working within secular institutional frameworks has worked to strengthen multicultural Australia, a more vigorous critique of multiculturalism and moderates has emerged from Islamist organisations who question the subordination of Muslim identity to the national identity and assert a claim to Islamic legitimacy and ‘truth' that makes their differences with moderate Islam and wider Australia seemingly irreconcilable. This paper, based on fieldwork with Australian Muslims and theoretical engagement with contemporary discourse seeks to outline the core defining attributes of moderate Islam and the Islamist perspective in the Australian context, with a particular focus upon their respective claims to Islamic legitimacy In doing so this paper will draw attention to the possible impacts of this contest upon the majority of secular, mainstream Australian Muslims.
A great deal of contemporary public and academic debate has centred on the level of compatibility... more A great deal of contemporary public and academic debate has centred on the level of compatibility between ‘Islam’ and the ‘West’ as if the two are mutually exclusive entities. This debate has been particularly vociferous in multicultural nations such as Australia and the United Kingdom where tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity has become state policy since 1970s. Multiculturalism has been officially celebrated as enriching the nation. Arguments voicing polarised political positions have often been the loudest and received considerable exposure in this debate. Populist politicians, commentators and quasi-academics portray western Muslims as a ‘fifth column,’ intent on destroying the fabric of western culture. They constitute one side of a proverbial coin. The other side is occupied by Islamist groups and individuals who reject the ‘West’, and its system of government (most notably democracy and multiculturalism), as the arch enemy of Islam. In recent years however, a number of Muslim intellectuals in the West have challenged this Huntingtonesque world view in the public domain, taking issue with the essentialist depiction of Islam and the textual interpretations of the Holy Book. They constitute a voice of moderation for Islam and present a strong case for the compatibility of being Muslim in the West. Whilst a burgeoning level of academic scrutiny is being focussed upon moderate Muslims, this paper also notes the absence of academic literature on a large part of the Muslim population whose public life is not necessarily guided by their religion. This group is unrepresented in the public debate on Islam and is often ignored. Yet they could constitute the majority of Western Muslims. This paper poses a number of questions about the role of Islam in multicultural societies, with special attention to the implications of ignoring the silent Muslim majority.
Applying Bourdieu to the Study of Young Australian Muslim Men
From 2008-2011, I have utilised ... more Applying Bourdieu to the Study of Young Australian Muslim Men
From 2008-2011, I have utilised Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice as the guiding framework in my PhD study of young Australian Muslim males identity construction and expression. This paper examines the manner in which I applied the Bourdeiusian concepts of Field, Capital and Habitus through an in-depth case study approach with young Muslim men that have been highly active in shaping the cultural and political face of Islam in Australia. This paper reveals the dynamic and important insights into young Muslim male identity construction and expression gained through case studies of Muslim hip hop group ‘The Brothahood’, public intellectual (and television host) Waleed Aly and the contrasting case of convicted members of terrorist organisations in Australia. This paper seeks to highlight the powerful contribution that Bourdieu can make to understanding Islam in Western contexts and identity more broadly and to spark discussion about the methodologies used and value of their information yield.
Book Review of John M. Owens IV 'Confronting Political Islam: Sex Lessons from the Wests Past' (P... more Book Review of John M. Owens IV 'Confronting Political Islam: Sex Lessons from the Wests Past' (Princeton University Press 2015).
It speaks to the rapid rate of contemporary political developments that
readers of John M. Owen I... more It speaks to the rapid rate of contemporary political developments that readers of John M. Owen IV’s 2015 book Confronting Political Islam: Sex Lessons from the Wests Past are already able to test his lessons against an entirely new and unforeseeable combination of global events. These include the emergence of the Islamic State movement in Iraq and Syria and the role played by Western born fighters, the collaboration between Russia and Syria to defeat Syrian rebel groups, the significant escalation in jihadist attacks, particularly across Europe, the failed Turkish coup attempt and European refugee crisis, in which the faith of refugees is central to western concern. Most recently, we have seen the election of a US President determined to combat ‘radical Islamic terrorism’ as a primary element of his administration’s foreign policy. This book is both ambitious and expansive, seeking to draw upon the Wests own deep (and dark) history of religious conflict to understand the challenges of contemporary political Islam.
This research provides a preliminary evidence base to understand the extent to which violent extr... more This research provides a preliminary evidence base to understand the extent to which violent extremist narratives have a wider resonance with men in Victoria, Australia. It identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity in men intersect with, and challenge, extremist conceptions. It consequently provides an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively.
Report to the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety (2020). This does not reflect Victorian Government views.
Victoria University’s Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing undertook a Review of Victoria ... more Victoria University’s Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing undertook a Review of Victoria Police Cross-Cultural Training Practices in response to a tender request from Victoria Police issued in June 2013. The tender called for a review to develop analysis, benchmarking, findings and recommendations for Victoria Police to consider as it develops the cross-cultural education and training elements of its overall approach to effective policing for communities. The Review has produced the final Report, Learning to Engage: A Review of Victoria Police Cross-Cultural Training Practices.
Communication, Politics and Culture, Vol. 46, 2013
Rac"In the past decade multiculturalism across Western nations has come under sustained critique ... more Rac"In the past decade multiculturalism across Western nations has come under sustained critique and attack from its political opponents. It has been asserted that multiculturalism leads to the creation of ghettos and segregated communities, which undermine liberal democratic values and heighten the risk of attraction to
extremist violence, particularly in regard to Muslim communities. The ferocity of these attacks has led many scholars to claim that multiculturalism is ‘in retreat’. But such claims have rarely been tested as they relate to publicly funded government agencies and institutions. These are key sites governing the daily practice and representation of multiculturalism that impact on populations in
everyday life. In the Australian context, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is a pivotal example of a multicultural institution, with its programming and community engagement widely considered among the world’s best practice in promoting pluralism and respect between cultures. In more recent times, however,
a series of controversial episodes on the network’s flagship ‘ideas forum’, the Insight television program, have led to anger in Australian Muslim communities, and a boycott by a variety of community leaders, academics and activists. This study reveals a notable shift away from the core values of multiculturalism in the
SBS and Australian society."
Islam and multiculturalism in Australia have evolved dramatically in the past decade (2000-2010).... more Islam and multiculturalism in Australia have evolved dramatically in the past decade (2000-2010). In the face of intense scrutiny from governments, security agencies, policing services, media and the wider public, Australian Muslims have been forced to confront key existential questions about what it is to be a Muslim living in a Western secular nation and have responded in a variety of ways. Multiculturalism has also faced questions on numerous fronts including its ability to foster social cohesion amongst diverse groups and the possibility of tension between dominant societal values and the level of acceptance of divergent values. Multiculturalism, like Islam in Australia has evolved in the past decade based largely upon the political context. It is clear that Islam and multiculturalism in Australia are closely linked and that developments within one have the ability to impact the other both in the present and foreseeable future.
This paper, focussing particularly upon Victorian Muslims, seeks to expand upon one of these important developments in Islam in Australia; the development of moderate forms of Islam. The paper will explores the concept of moderate Islam and the proposition that strong government support for multiculturalism encourages its development, particularly at the community representative level. It is proposed that this leads to improved cultural and political participation and loyalty to the state amongst wider Muslim communities.
Cultural diversity is the norm in Australia and the United Kingdom. Both states celebrate multicu... more Cultural diversity is the norm in Australia and the United Kingdom. Both states celebrate multiculturalism. But some populist politicians, commentators, and quasi-academics have recently portrayed Western Muslims as a “fifth column”, organized and intent on destroying the fabric of Western culture from within. Interestingly, extremist Muslim groups in the West make similar claims about the relationship between Islam and the West. In recent years, however, Western-born “moderate” Muslim intellectuals and moderates have emerged into the public sphere to challenge essentialist depictions of Islam and the Islamist textual interpretations. They claim an important social space for the Western practice of Islam. Whilst a burgeoning level of academic scrutiny is being focused upon moderate Muslims, this article notes the absence of academic literature about a large part of the Muslim population whose public life is not necessarily guided by their religion but more by their culture and ethnicity, i.e. the “cultural Muslims”. This group is unrepresented in the public debate on Islam and often ignored yet could constitute the majority of Western Muslims. This article concludes by posing significant questions about this group and the implications of political discourse upon their future trajectory.
Across Europe, multiculturalism has been said to have ‘failed’ because it creates ‘ghettoes’ of M... more Across Europe, multiculturalism has been said to have ‘failed’ because it creates ‘ghettoes’ of Muslims that are actively undermining democratic principles. Hostility to state policies of multiculturalism and Muslim settlement are increasing rapidly. Australia too, has seen Muslims viewed with suspicion and subjected to severe forms of surveillance and social pressure to show loyalty to the nation and Australian ‘values’. In the same period Australian multiculturalism has faced sustained attacks, being challenged on its ability to foster integration and loyalty from citizens, especially Muslims. In recent times, the political tide has started to turn. Australian Muslims are increasingly making their voices heard and politicians from all of the major parties are committing to multicultural policies as a core tenet of Australian nation building (despite continuing attacks from the far right). This is due in no small part to the work of creative and innovative grassroots community groups, a vast body of academic research examining these groups and issues of social inclusion and exclusion. However despite this extensive research, one major contributor of pivotal significance has slipped under the radar. Young Muslims of Australia (YMA) based out of a small Northern suburban Melbourne Mosque has not sought any public recognition for its work, yet has contributed to the development of an entire generation of Australian Muslim political and cultural leaders playing an active role in shaping the development of Australian multiculturalism and Islam. The group has even had an impact internationally. This article, based on research interviews with key members and extensive engagement with their body of work seeks to examine and analyse the central tenets and guiding principles of the group and consider the key contributors to YMA’s success then measures its impact. The YMA not only challenge, but completely undermine arguments about an inherent incompatibility of Islam and Western democracy.
Key Words: Multiculturalism, Australian Islam, Western Muslims, Tasuwuuf Islam, Social Resilience
"Debates about Shari’a law and legal pluralism have come to the fore of political discourse in ma... more "Debates about Shari’a law and legal pluralism have come to the fore of political discourse in many western multicultural societies including Australia. The mass media, in particular newspapers, have been active in reporting on Shari’a related news items and in doing so, have made a significant contribution to shaping political debate across western nations from governmental to grassroots levels. Understanding how newspapers report on Shari’a will provide important insights into how political discourse about Islam, western Muslims and Shari’a is formed. Utilizing the example of newspapers in Sydney, Australia, this article draws upon methodologies used to analyse the negative portrayals of new
religious movements in the press. The article aims to analyse the way that Shari’a has been reported in key newspapers in Sydney over the last five years. It explores a variety of issues influencing the reporting of Shari’a including reporting of Shari’a at the local andinternational levels, the division between ‘good’ Shari’a (Islamic finance) and ‘bad’ Shari’a (family and criminal law) and differences between newspapers and media owners.
"The violent clashes between young Muslim men and police that occurred in and around Sydney’s cen... more "The violent clashes between young Muslim men and police that occurred in and around Sydney’s central business district on the evening of Saturday, September 15, 2012 have acted as a catalyst for an increasingly visible political struggle among different sections of the Australian Muslim population in the post-9/11 decade. The protests, ostensibly about the film Innocence of Muslims, have brought the contested nature of Islam and being Muslim in Australia firmly into the sphere of public political debate as Muslims aligned both against and with the protestors. This article aims to explore the extraordinarily open exchanges and
contestation primarily between Muslims born and raised in Australia in the immediate aftermath of the protests and the mechanisms utilized to contest power, authority and legitimacy. In doing so, it reveals important insights into the debates defining Muslim political identity and considers the broader implications for Australian Islam and multiculturalism.
Keywords: Sydney protests; Islam; Muslims; multiculturalism; political Islam; critical discourse analysis; freedom of speech""
Cultural, Religious and Political Contestations: The Multicultural Challenge , Jul 2015
This chapter explores the schism in Australian multiculturalism between
explicit and publically-... more This chapter explores the schism in Australian multiculturalism between
explicit and publically-stated rejection of Islamic law as it relates to the personal
domain on the one hand, and the embracing and promotion of Islamic fi nance as
opening an avenue to prosperity on the other. We argue that this schism aligns
closely with the functioning of neoliberal multiculturalism; where the cultural
dimension of ethnicity, or in this case, faith, is only so valuable in the political arena
as the tangible economic benefi ts it can offer. The chapter therefore seeks to explore
the key concept of neoliberal multiculturalism as a way of better understanding
contemporary Australian multicultural policies.
The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue to occupy a socioec... more The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue to occupy a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. On key indicators of unemployment rate, income, type of occupation and home ownership, Muslims consistently under-perform the national average. This pattern is evident in the last three Census data (2001, 2006 and 2011). Limited access to resources and a sense of marginalisation challenge full engagement with society and the natural growth of emotional affiliation with Australia. Muslim active citizenship is hampered by socioeconomic barriers. At the same time, an increasingly proactive class of educated Muslim elite has emerged to claim a voice for Muslims in Australia and promote citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Questions about Muslims, multiculturalism and citizenship continue to shape the political discour... more Questions about Muslims, multiculturalism and citizenship continue to shape the political discourse of many nations, including Australia, a nation often foregrounded as a beacon of multiculturalism in practice. The key assumption underlying these questions is that Islam constrains the full possibilities of citizenship in multicultural secular societies and that Muslims must be actively steered towards participation in civic life. By contrast, this article, based on research with 80 young Australian Muslims from migrant backgrounds reveals how Australian Muslims are enacting everyday citizenship through active, self-driven participation in multicultural civic spaces. This is a process overlooked by contemporary government approaches to the management of Muslim communities and alike. This article argues that is it access to these spaces of everyday interaction rather than an emphasis upon securitisation and civic literacy that fosters the development of citizenship and civic engagement central to the success of Australian multiculturalism. The article provides important considerations for those concerned with the future viability of multicultural policies.
Questions about Muslims, multiculturalism and citizenship continue to shape the political discour... more Questions about Muslims, multiculturalism and citizenship continue to shape the political discourse of many nations, including Australia, a nation often foregrounded as a beacon of multiculturalism in practice. The key assumption underlying these questions is that Islam constrains the full possibilities of citizenship in multicultural secular societies and that Muslims must be actively steered towards participation in civic life. By contrast, this article, based on research with 80 young Australian Muslims from migrant backgrounds reveals how Australian Muslims are enacting everyday citizenship through active, self-driven participation in multicultural civic spaces. This is a process overlooked by contemporary government approaches to the management of Muslim communities and alike. This article argues that is it access to these spaces of everyday interaction rather than an emphasis upon securitisation and civic literacy that fosters the development of citizenship and civic engagement central to the success of Australian multiculturalism. The article provides important considerations for those concerned with the future viability of multicultural policies.
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, Muslims across Western nations had inhabited an ... more In the first decade of the twenty-first century, Muslims across Western nations had inhabited an often hostile social climate characterized by extensive levels of scrutiny, surveillance, and pressure.Muslims have been cast simultaneously as “at risk” of radicalization and as a threat to enlightenment values, freedom, and democracy. Young Muslim men in particular have been portrayed as potential “home-grown” terrorists, criminal thugs, and misogynistic oppressors and as a problem that must be solved. The “question of Muslim identity” and more specifically, Muslim masculinities, political loyalty and action has become the central pivot around which debate has focused for the place of Islam in the West and the adequacy of state policies on citizenship and multiculturalism. Despite the centrality of young, Western-born Muslim men to these questions they remain poorly understood. Even less understood is the relationship between social influences shaping Muslim men and the cultural, political, and intellectual trajectories of Islam in Western contexts. This book addresses the questions related to why young Muslim men often from very similar social backgrounds are pursuing such dramatically different political paths in the name of Islam. This is at the fore of international debates about citizenship and Muslim minorities and in the current international political context is a task that has more urgency than ever.
The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue to occupy a socioec... more The most recent national Census demonstrated that Australian Muslims continue to occupy a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. On key indicators of unemployment rate, income, type of occupation and home ownership, Muslims consistently under-perform the national average. This pattern is evident in the last three Census data (2001, 2006 and 2011). Limited access to resources and a sense of marginalisation challenge full engagement with society and the natural growth of emotional affiliation with Australia. Muslim active citizenship is hampered by socioeconomic barriers. At the same time, an increasingly proactive class of educated Muslim elite has emerged to claim a voice for Muslims in Australia and promote citizenship rights and responsibilities.
This insightful collection of essays explore matters of faith, equalities and inequalities throug... more This insightful collection of essays explore matters of faith, equalities and inequalities through attention to the structures, institutions and lived experiences that are part of contemporary religious landscapes. A diversity of significant issues are investigated across different terrains including policy, legislation, social and political contexts, and embodied experiences. This is a must read for scholars interested in matters of religion, belief and faith in public and private life. —Peter Hopkins, Newcastle University, UK From public policy to everyday experience, religion is interwoven with systems of inequality and with means for countering that inequality. This wonderful collection allows us to see that complicated reality from multiple geographical and social locations, providing rich resources of new knowledge and sharp new perspectives. —Nancy Ammerman, Boston University, USA This fresh and invigorating collection reminds us the study of religious 'difference' often neglects the issue of power and inclusion. Taking as its theme the way that the religious or the secular may enable or thwart access to the public sphere, it presents a rich feast of new research and reflection. —Linda Woodhead, Lancaster University, UK
New forms of communication and greater accessibility of Islamic texts on-line allow
Muslims to sh... more New forms of communication and greater accessibility of Islamic texts on-line allow Muslims to shape their own religiosity, to become less dependent on established sources of authority, and thereby to become more aware of their own cultural diversity as a community. New practices of transnational Islam, and the growth of new concepts of Muslim identities currently emerging in the on-line community, are relatively free from immediate constraints. This article provides the result of a sociological analysis of three Internet sites in Sydney which deliver on-line fatwas. Even if cyberspace has allowed the Muslim world to be de-territorialised and provides a way for people to distance themselves from traditional communities if they wish, this research points out a variety of approaches, including one case which is aiming at re-localising an Australian Muslim system of values. This case highlights ways in which first generation Muslims are re-territorialising Shari‘a in a specific western country.
Debates abound about low levels of engagement in mainstream civic life on the part of young Musli... more Debates abound about low levels of engagement in mainstream civic life on the part of young Muslims from immigrant backgrounds living in non-Muslim majority countries. This paper investigates the emergent types of civic practice enacted by first or second generation Australian youth of major Muslim migrant communities, and suggests that in order to better understand the commonly identified problem of low levels of civic participation amongst this group it is necessary to situate the debate in broader conceptual frameworks regarding the shift towards ‘do-it-yourself’ citizenship on the part of the current generation. The paper argues for a focus on practices of youth cultural production and consumption, civic networks in everyday spaces, and work on the self as new forms of civic engagement, drawing on qualitative research with 80 young Muslims, who are outside both radical and mainstream formal associational practice.
This article focuses on the marginal extremities – the limits – of Shari'a practices in Australia... more This article focuses on the marginal extremities – the limits – of Shari'a practices in Australia, through the example of a criminal case in which four Sydney-based Muslim men whipped a Muslim convert to punish him for his excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol. The men claimed they acted in line with the doctrines of Shari'a practice to 'purify' or absolve the victim of his sins. While the case was tried before a magistrate in a lower court, it is argued in this article that its social and political significance was wider, reaching into contemporary debates around multiculturalism and immigration from non-western, non-liberal and mainly Muslim nations. Mainstream media and political narratives viewed the whipping as an example of the moral dangers of accommodating Shari'a norms, eliding the differences between peaceable Shari'a and its violent extremities, while situating the case at the limits of multicultural accommodation.
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, Muslims across Western
nations had inhabited an ... more In the first decade of the twenty-first century, Muslims across Western nations had inhabited an often hostile social climate characterized by extensive levels of scrutiny, surveillance, and pressure.Muslims have been cast simultaneously as “at risk” of radicalization and as a threat to enlightenment values, freedom, and democracy. Young Muslim men in particular have been portrayed as potential “home-grown” terrorists, criminal thugs, and misogynistic oppressors and as a problem that must be solved. The “question of Muslim identity” and more specifically, Muslim masculinities, political loyalty and action has become the central pivot around which debate has focused for the place of Islam in the West and the adequacy of state policies on citizenship and multiculturalism. Despite the centrality of young, Western-born Muslim men to these questions they remain poorly understood. Even less understood is the relationship between social influences shaping Muslim men and the cultural, political, and intellectual trajectories of Islam in Western contexts. This book addresses the questions related to why young Muslim men often from very similar social backgrounds are pursuing such dramatically different political paths in the name of Islam. This is at the fore of international debates about citizenship and Muslim minorities and in the current international political context is a task that has more urgency than ever.
The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch, 2021
The optimistic world of globalization and neo-liberal economics has rapidly dis appeared in the l... more The optimistic world of globalization and neo-liberal economics has rapidly dis appeared in the last decade with financial instability, refugee crises, political extre mism, Brexit and the potential breakup of the European Union. Donald Trump's foreign policy appears to be designed to undermine the UN, NATO, EU, and WHO. In response we have a plethora of explanations and definitions, especially of populism, but no comprehensive social science perspective. The crises are global and cannot be understood in a national context. Joshua Roose offers an original and innovative analysis exploring issues often overlooked by commentators: reli gion and masculinity. The erosion of key social institutions, especially citizenship and patterns of normative behavior such as civility, has created a social and political vacuum now filled by strong man politics and populist ideologies. Combining comparative empirical research, historical depth and theoretical inquiry, New Demagogues is sociology at its best.'
The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch, 2021
Chapter four (open access) of my just released book 'The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity an... more Chapter four (open access) of my just released book 'The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch' (Routledge). The chapter explores the spectrum of male supremacist activity, how it ties into the new populism and how it constitutes, at its worst, a new form of violent extremism targeting women on the basis of their gender.
“Shari’a in Cyberspace : An Analysis of Australian and US Internet Sites” in A. Possamai-Inesedy and A. Nixon (eds.) The Digital Social: Religion and Belief, 2019
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Papers by Joshua M Roose
In relation to national security and challenging terrorism and violent extremism
while also addressing foreign threats, it becomes apparent that Freedom
of Religion or Belief is an important contributor to social cohesion,
peacebuilding, and economic development. It fosters a sense of acceptance,
respect, and recognition between different communities while contributing to
the cohesion necessary for the predictable social and political circumstances
that provide certainty for private sector growth and opportunity. Most importantly, in the context of this book, these are the foundation stones of a
viable and sustainable national security policy.
While some primarily European states adopted policies of reintegration, others including Australia and the UK introduced legislation to strip citizen-ship from those proven to have fought in said conflicts, a move designed to simultaneously punish and deter. This chapter demonstrates that in ad-dition to targeting terrorism, these new laws, through their wide potential application, extend too far, threatening freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Furthermore, as found by the Australian High Court in June 2022, they were, in some forms, unconstitutional. While these laws may currently target Muslim communities, they have much wider potential applicability to other religious minorities. Citizenship laws are even more problematic in Asian contexts, justifying the extremes of exclusion and violence resulting in the persecution of Muslim communities. This chapter explores the legislative, jurisprudential, and liberal philosophical challenges of this decision by a group of select Western and non-Western states and considers implications for freedom of religion on a global scale.
We argue that the experiences of these youth raise interesting questions
about political practice and citizenship for both youth studies and migration
studies in the context of changing opportunities for youth engagement and
expression, and generational shifts in the multicultural politics of representation.
Youth citizenship studies has seen a move towards a broader conceptual
framework that considers how activities such as cultural production and
consumption, personal and local networking, and work on the self-function
for young people as forms of political participation. Further, in super-diverse,
multicultural countries such as Australia, we also see shifts away from a traditional focus on ethnic community representation and claim-making to efforts to understand how the multiplicity and fluidity of cultures enable less categorical forms of political identification and expression, especially for younger people. However, it is only recently that these frameworks have been applied to the circumstances of young Muslims of migrant background in non-Muslim majority countries. In this chapter we outline how a diy citizenship approach relates to migrant background Muslim youth who are frequently regulated for appropriate forms of both youth and ethnic participation. We consider how it has been taken up amongst scholars researching Muslim youth in different contexts, and suggest how it might be developed for future use.
to occupy a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. On key indicators of
unemployment rate, income, type of occupation and home ownership, Muslims
consistently under-perform the national average. This pattern is evident in the
last three Census data (2001, 2006 and 2011). Limited access to resources and
a sense of marginalisation challenge full engagement with society and the
natural growth of emotional affiliation with Australia. Muslim active citizenship
is hampered by socioeconomic barriers. At the same time, an increasingly
proactive class of educated Muslim elite has emerged to claim a voice for
Muslims in Australia and promote citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Keywords: Muslims; active citizenship; socioeconomic marginalisation; civic elite;
multiculturalism
Drawing on multi-method, interdisciplinary research, this book explores the centrality of masculinity to violent extremist recruitment narratives across the religious and political spectrum. Chapters examine the intersection of masculinity and violent extremism across a spectrum of movements including: the far right, Islamist organizations, male supremacist groups, and the far left. The book identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity intersects with, stands in contrast to and challenges extremist representations of masculinity. It offers an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively and identifies areas for both policy making and future research.
“This book takes an obvious but largely neglected question seriously: Why are men the overwhelming majority in violent extremist groups? Drawing on rich empirical research, it gives a persuasive account of the role of masculinity in far right, jihadism and anti-women movements. This compelling book will be an essential source for anyone interested in gender, radicalization and violence.”
Lucas Gottzén, Professor of Child and Youth Studies, Stockholm University, Sweden
“This book is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the role masculinities play in violent extremist groups of diverse ideologies – far right, Islamist and far left. It provides new empirical data and offers clear and practical solutions for policy makers looking to put theory into practice, and help men resist extreme groups.”
Elizabeth Pearson, Lecturer in Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
“The central role and allure of narrow, extremely patriarchal understandings of gender roles as ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors in violent extremist movements across the political and ideological spectrum is too often overlooked. This book is thus a most welcome, crucial and necessary contribution to current debates on violent extremism.”
Henri Myrttinen, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Bremen, Germany
“Masculinity and Violent Extremism proves a detailed and valuable contribution to the literature, helping readers better understand the role of masculinities in contemporary violent extremist movements. A must read.”
Joana Cook, Assistant Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence, Leiden University, Netherlands
"At a time when the role of masculinity in exacerbating political violence has become inescapable, Masculinity and Violent Extremism gives the most in-depth empirical accounts thus far. With rich comparisons of violent masculinities in Australia, the book gives clarity about the enormity of the challenge and some steps which might be taken to address it. Masculinity and Violent Extremism is essential reading for anyone with an interest in gender and violence in contemporary politics."
David Duriesmith, Lecturer in Gender and Politics, University of Sheffield, UK
“This gripping book explores the role of masculinities in violent extremism, a topic which is more often skirted around than rigorously investigated. No one wants to blame men and masculinity per se for violent extremist events, yet there is no denying that men dominate extremist movements and are much more often involved in acts of extremist violence. One of the virtues of this book, in my opinion, is to avoid relying on broad and rather empty generalisations like ‘toxic masculinity’. Rather, the book treats the problem of masculinities in violent extremism as it should be handled, with due attention to the complexities of gender and other socio-cultural factors that are involved. Early on, the reader is given a succinct yet incisive review of the literature in the field. Subsequently, empirical data obtained from men themselves and from popular extremist network sites allows the authors to thoroughly explore the phenomenon, and to give convincing evidence for their analysis and explanation. To my mind, the most compelling section of the book articulates the intersection of extremist and normative masculinity, depicting significant overlap between the discourse of violent extremist organisations and the norms of hegemonic masculinity. A welcome strength of this book is to end on a chapter which draws out for scholars and practitioners the implications for police and practice. The authors amply demonstrate the applicability of their study to international contexts.”
Pam Nilan, University of Newcastle, Australia
1. Alternative narratives can be more effective at challenging extremist narratives because they can directly address real and perceived grievances as well as the psycho-social needs that may lead to engagement with extremist discourse
2. There has been a focus within P/CVE on alternative narratives that address jihadi inspired or attributed narratives, and there is little attention being paid to far-right narratives within an official capacity.
3. The role and impact that gender and gendered language plays in extremist narratives remains underdeveloped and under-researched. The literature suggests that much more focus needs to be placed on alternative narrative approaches that incorporate gender perspectives and language.
4. The most effective alternative narrative programs were grassroots pilot programs that incorporated alternative messaging into wider resilience and capacity building programs that included education, vocational and social work workshops.
5. Evaluation of the efficacy of alternative narrative programs is extremely limited. It often relies on ‘clicks’ and ‘comments’ alone. Providers have built business cases around these measures, potentially resulting in significant expenditure for little if any gain.
National and state / provincial governments must not only stamp out misinformation, but they must also account for the ways that disinformation and conspiracy theories fuel the acceleration of violent extremist narratives and the potential for violence by ideologically motivated extremist individuals and groups seeking to exploit the situation.
In relation to national security and challenging terrorism and violent extremism
while also addressing foreign threats, it becomes apparent that Freedom
of Religion or Belief is an important contributor to social cohesion,
peacebuilding, and economic development. It fosters a sense of acceptance,
respect, and recognition between different communities while contributing to
the cohesion necessary for the predictable social and political circumstances
that provide certainty for private sector growth and opportunity. Most importantly, in the context of this book, these are the foundation stones of a
viable and sustainable national security policy.
While some primarily European states adopted policies of reintegration, others including Australia and the UK introduced legislation to strip citizen-ship from those proven to have fought in said conflicts, a move designed to simultaneously punish and deter. This chapter demonstrates that in ad-dition to targeting terrorism, these new laws, through their wide potential application, extend too far, threatening freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Furthermore, as found by the Australian High Court in June 2022, they were, in some forms, unconstitutional. While these laws may currently target Muslim communities, they have much wider potential applicability to other religious minorities. Citizenship laws are even more problematic in Asian contexts, justifying the extremes of exclusion and violence resulting in the persecution of Muslim communities. This chapter explores the legislative, jurisprudential, and liberal philosophical challenges of this decision by a group of select Western and non-Western states and considers implications for freedom of religion on a global scale.
We argue that the experiences of these youth raise interesting questions
about political practice and citizenship for both youth studies and migration
studies in the context of changing opportunities for youth engagement and
expression, and generational shifts in the multicultural politics of representation.
Youth citizenship studies has seen a move towards a broader conceptual
framework that considers how activities such as cultural production and
consumption, personal and local networking, and work on the self-function
for young people as forms of political participation. Further, in super-diverse,
multicultural countries such as Australia, we also see shifts away from a traditional focus on ethnic community representation and claim-making to efforts to understand how the multiplicity and fluidity of cultures enable less categorical forms of political identification and expression, especially for younger people. However, it is only recently that these frameworks have been applied to the circumstances of young Muslims of migrant background in non-Muslim majority countries. In this chapter we outline how a diy citizenship approach relates to migrant background Muslim youth who are frequently regulated for appropriate forms of both youth and ethnic participation. We consider how it has been taken up amongst scholars researching Muslim youth in different contexts, and suggest how it might be developed for future use.
to occupy a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. On key indicators of
unemployment rate, income, type of occupation and home ownership, Muslims
consistently under-perform the national average. This pattern is evident in the
last three Census data (2001, 2006 and 2011). Limited access to resources and
a sense of marginalisation challenge full engagement with society and the
natural growth of emotional affiliation with Australia. Muslim active citizenship
is hampered by socioeconomic barriers. At the same time, an increasingly
proactive class of educated Muslim elite has emerged to claim a voice for
Muslims in Australia and promote citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Keywords: Muslims; active citizenship; socioeconomic marginalisation; civic elite;
multiculturalism
Drawing on multi-method, interdisciplinary research, this book explores the centrality of masculinity to violent extremist recruitment narratives across the religious and political spectrum. Chapters examine the intersection of masculinity and violent extremism across a spectrum of movements including: the far right, Islamist organizations, male supremacist groups, and the far left. The book identifies key sites and points at which the construction of masculinity intersects with, stands in contrast to and challenges extremist representations of masculinity. It offers an insight into where the potential appeal of extremist narratives can be challenged most effectively and identifies areas for both policy making and future research.
“This book takes an obvious but largely neglected question seriously: Why are men the overwhelming majority in violent extremist groups? Drawing on rich empirical research, it gives a persuasive account of the role of masculinity in far right, jihadism and anti-women movements. This compelling book will be an essential source for anyone interested in gender, radicalization and violence.”
Lucas Gottzén, Professor of Child and Youth Studies, Stockholm University, Sweden
“This book is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the role masculinities play in violent extremist groups of diverse ideologies – far right, Islamist and far left. It provides new empirical data and offers clear and practical solutions for policy makers looking to put theory into practice, and help men resist extreme groups.”
Elizabeth Pearson, Lecturer in Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
“The central role and allure of narrow, extremely patriarchal understandings of gender roles as ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors in violent extremist movements across the political and ideological spectrum is too often overlooked. This book is thus a most welcome, crucial and necessary contribution to current debates on violent extremism.”
Henri Myrttinen, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Bremen, Germany
“Masculinity and Violent Extremism proves a detailed and valuable contribution to the literature, helping readers better understand the role of masculinities in contemporary violent extremist movements. A must read.”
Joana Cook, Assistant Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence, Leiden University, Netherlands
"At a time when the role of masculinity in exacerbating political violence has become inescapable, Masculinity and Violent Extremism gives the most in-depth empirical accounts thus far. With rich comparisons of violent masculinities in Australia, the book gives clarity about the enormity of the challenge and some steps which might be taken to address it. Masculinity and Violent Extremism is essential reading for anyone with an interest in gender and violence in contemporary politics."
David Duriesmith, Lecturer in Gender and Politics, University of Sheffield, UK
“This gripping book explores the role of masculinities in violent extremism, a topic which is more often skirted around than rigorously investigated. No one wants to blame men and masculinity per se for violent extremist events, yet there is no denying that men dominate extremist movements and are much more often involved in acts of extremist violence. One of the virtues of this book, in my opinion, is to avoid relying on broad and rather empty generalisations like ‘toxic masculinity’. Rather, the book treats the problem of masculinities in violent extremism as it should be handled, with due attention to the complexities of gender and other socio-cultural factors that are involved. Early on, the reader is given a succinct yet incisive review of the literature in the field. Subsequently, empirical data obtained from men themselves and from popular extremist network sites allows the authors to thoroughly explore the phenomenon, and to give convincing evidence for their analysis and explanation. To my mind, the most compelling section of the book articulates the intersection of extremist and normative masculinity, depicting significant overlap between the discourse of violent extremist organisations and the norms of hegemonic masculinity. A welcome strength of this book is to end on a chapter which draws out for scholars and practitioners the implications for police and practice. The authors amply demonstrate the applicability of their study to international contexts.”
Pam Nilan, University of Newcastle, Australia
1. Alternative narratives can be more effective at challenging extremist narratives because they can directly address real and perceived grievances as well as the psycho-social needs that may lead to engagement with extremist discourse
2. There has been a focus within P/CVE on alternative narratives that address jihadi inspired or attributed narratives, and there is little attention being paid to far-right narratives within an official capacity.
3. The role and impact that gender and gendered language plays in extremist narratives remains underdeveloped and under-researched. The literature suggests that much more focus needs to be placed on alternative narrative approaches that incorporate gender perspectives and language.
4. The most effective alternative narrative programs were grassroots pilot programs that incorporated alternative messaging into wider resilience and capacity building programs that included education, vocational and social work workshops.
5. Evaluation of the efficacy of alternative narrative programs is extremely limited. It often relies on ‘clicks’ and ‘comments’ alone. Providers have built business cases around these measures, potentially resulting in significant expenditure for little if any gain.
National and state / provincial governments must not only stamp out misinformation, but they must also account for the ways that disinformation and conspiracy theories fuel the acceleration of violent extremist narratives and the potential for violence by ideologically motivated extremist individuals and groups seeking to exploit the situation.
This paper draws upon extensive fieldwork with Australian born Muslim men in Melbourne, Australia. These men, including Muslim hip-hop group The Brothahood and Public intellectual Waleed Aly have made significant contributions to promoting social inclusion within the framework of Australian multiculturalism, where the emergence of Muslim public figures is very recent. The paper also draws upon over 4000 pages of listening surveillance device and phone intercept transcripts involving Australia’s first convicted terrorist group, the Benbrika Jama’ah (the first time permission has been granted) to examine issues of social exclusion. This research focuses upon the centrality of Islam to cultural and political actions by Muslim men in the public sphere. Employing a Bourdieuian analytical frame the paper highlights the multitude of ways that elements of Islam have interacted with other social influences to shape civic and religious practice. Findings revealed include the significance of the form of Islam practiced (Tasuwuuf, traditional Madhabs, Salafism), the vital role of family, female influences and role models, non-Muslim interaction, cultural and educational capital, quality of employment experiences, interactions with the multicultural state and wider western cultural influences.
This research is amongst the most in-depth studies of the role that Islam plays in social engagement by Muslim men in the multicultural context and seeks to contribute to the broader body of knowledge on the relationship between social inclusion and religion.
Islam in Australia has evolved dramatically in Australia in the past decade (2000-2010). In the face of intense scrutiny from Government, security, media and the wider public, Muslim Australians have been forced to confront key existential questions about what it is to be Muslim living in a Western secular nation and to respond to these challenges.
The paper traces how the events of September 11 2001 and 7/7 2005 have shaped the development of Australian Islam and reveals the emergence of Australian born young Muslim men and women who possess the necessary cultural capital to act with great agency and skill in shaping representations of Australian Islam from a variety of different political perspectives. Whilst the emergence of ‘moderate' Muslims working within secular institutional frameworks has worked to strengthen multicultural Australia, a more vigorous critique of multiculturalism and moderates has emerged from Islamist organisations who question the subordination of Muslim identity to the national identity and assert a claim to Islamic legitimacy and ‘truth' that makes their differences with moderate Islam and wider Australia seemingly irreconcilable. This paper, based on fieldwork with Australian Muslims and theoretical engagement with contemporary discourse seeks to outline the core defining attributes of moderate Islam and the Islamist perspective in the Australian context, with a particular focus upon their respective claims to Islamic legitimacy In doing so this paper will draw attention to the possible impacts of this contest upon the majority of secular, mainstream Australian Muslims.
From 2008-2011, I have utilised Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice as the guiding framework in my PhD study of young Australian Muslim males identity construction and expression. This paper examines the manner in which I applied the Bourdeiusian concepts of Field, Capital and Habitus through an in-depth case study approach with young Muslim men that have been highly active in shaping the cultural and political face of Islam in Australia. This paper reveals the dynamic and important insights into young Muslim male identity construction and expression gained through case studies of Muslim hip hop group ‘The Brothahood’, public intellectual (and television host) Waleed Aly and the contrasting case of convicted members of terrorist organisations in Australia. This paper seeks to highlight the powerful contribution that Bourdieu can make to understanding Islam in Western contexts and identity more broadly and to spark discussion about the methodologies used and value of their information yield.
- The typo on line two is not a Freudian slip -
readers of John M. Owen IV’s 2015 book Confronting Political Islam: Sex
Lessons from the Wests Past are already able to test his lessons against
an entirely new and unforeseeable combination of global events. These
include the emergence of the Islamic State movement in Iraq and Syria
and the role played by Western born fighters, the collaboration between
Russia and Syria to defeat Syrian rebel groups, the significant escalation
in jihadist attacks, particularly across Europe, the failed Turkish coup
attempt and European refugee crisis, in which the faith of refugees is
central to western concern. Most recently, we have seen the election of a
US President determined to combat ‘radical Islamic terrorism’ as a
primary element of his administration’s foreign policy. This book is both
ambitious and expansive, seeking to draw upon the Wests own deep (and dark) history of religious conflict to understand the challenges of
contemporary political Islam.
Report to the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety (2020). This does not reflect Victorian Government views.
extremist violence, particularly in regard to Muslim communities. The ferocity of these attacks has led many scholars to claim that multiculturalism is ‘in retreat’. But such claims have rarely been tested as they relate to publicly funded government agencies and institutions. These are key sites governing the daily practice and representation of multiculturalism that impact on populations in
everyday life. In the Australian context, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is a pivotal example of a multicultural institution, with its programming and community engagement widely considered among the world’s best practice in promoting pluralism and respect between cultures. In more recent times, however,
a series of controversial episodes on the network’s flagship ‘ideas forum’, the Insight television program, have led to anger in Australian Muslim communities, and a boycott by a variety of community leaders, academics and activists. This study reveals a notable shift away from the core values of multiculturalism in the
SBS and Australian society."
in the past decade based largely upon the political context. It is clear that Islam and multiculturalism in Australia are closely linked and that developments within one have the ability to impact the other both in the present and foreseeable future.
This paper, focussing particularly upon Victorian Muslims, seeks to expand upon one of these important developments in Islam in Australia; the development of moderate forms of Islam. The paper will explores the concept of moderate Islam and the proposition that strong government support for multiculturalism encourages its development, particularly at the community representative level. It is proposed that this leads to improved cultural and political participation and
loyalty to the state amongst wider Muslim communities.
Key Words: Multiculturalism, Australian Islam, Western Muslims, Tasuwuuf Islam, Social Resilience
religious movements in the press. The article aims to analyse the way that Shari’a has been reported in key newspapers in Sydney over the last five years. It explores a variety of issues influencing the reporting of Shari’a including reporting of Shari’a at the local andinternational levels, the division between ‘good’ Shari’a (Islamic finance) and ‘bad’ Shari’a (family and criminal law) and differences between newspapers and media owners.
"
contestation primarily between Muslims born and raised in Australia in the immediate aftermath of the protests and the mechanisms utilized to contest power, authority and legitimacy. In doing so, it reveals important insights into the debates defining Muslim political identity and considers the broader implications for Australian Islam and multiculturalism.
Keywords: Sydney protests; Islam; Muslims; multiculturalism; political Islam; critical discourse analysis; freedom of speech""
explicit and publically-stated rejection of Islamic law as it relates to the personal
domain on the one hand, and the embracing and promotion of Islamic fi nance as
opening an avenue to prosperity on the other. We argue that this schism aligns
closely with the functioning of neoliberal multiculturalism; where the cultural
dimension of ethnicity, or in this case, faith, is only so valuable in the political arena
as the tangible economic benefi ts it can offer. The chapter therefore seeks to explore
the key concept of neoliberal multiculturalism as a way of better understanding
contemporary Australian multicultural policies.
civic life. By contrast, this article, based on research with 80 young Australian Muslims from migrant backgrounds reveals how Australian Muslims are enacting everyday citizenship through active, self-driven participation in multicultural civic spaces. This is a process overlooked by contemporary government approaches to the management of Muslim communities and alike. This article argues that is it access to
these spaces of everyday interaction rather than an emphasis upon securitisation and civic literacy that fosters the development of citizenship and civic engagement central to the success of Australian multiculturalism. The article provides important considerations for those concerned with the future viability of multicultural policies.
cast simultaneously as “at risk” of radicalization and as a threat to enlightenment values, freedom, and democracy. Young Muslim men in particular have been portrayed as potential “home-grown” terrorists, criminal thugs, and misogynistic oppressors and as a problem that must be solved. The “question of Muslim identity” and more specifically, Muslim masculinities, political loyalty and action has become the central pivot around which debate has focused for the place of Islam in the West and the adequacy of state policies on citizenship and multiculturalism. Despite the centrality of young, Western-born Muslim men to these questions they remain poorly understood. Even less understood is the relationship between social influences shaping Muslim men and the cultural, political, and intellectual trajectories of Islam in Western contexts. This book addresses the questions related to why young Muslim men often from very similar social backgrounds are pursuing such dramatically different political paths in the name of Islam. This is at the fore of international debates about citizenship and Muslim minorities and in the current international political context is a task that has more urgency than ever.
Muslims to shape their own religiosity, to become less dependent on established sources of authority, and thereby to become more aware of their own cultural diversity as a community. New practices of transnational Islam, and the growth of new concepts of Muslim identities currently emerging in the on-line community, are relatively free from immediate constraints. This article provides the result of a sociological analysis of three Internet sites in Sydney which deliver on-line fatwas. Even if cyberspace has allowed the Muslim world to be de-territorialised and provides a way for people to distance themselves from traditional communities if they wish, this research points out a variety of approaches, including one case which is aiming at re-localising an Australian Muslim system of values. This case highlights ways in which first generation Muslims are re-territorialising Shari‘a in a specific western country.
nations had inhabited an often hostile social climate characterized by
extensive levels of scrutiny, surveillance, and pressure.Muslims have been
cast simultaneously as “at risk” of radicalization and as a threat to enlightenment values, freedom, and democracy. Young Muslim men in particular have been portrayed as potential “home-grown” terrorists, criminal thugs, and misogynistic oppressors and as a problem that must be solved. The “question of Muslim identity” and more specifically, Muslim masculinities, political loyalty and action has become the central pivot around which debate has focused for the place of Islam in the West and the adequacy of state policies on citizenship and multiculturalism. Despite the centrality of young, Western-born Muslim men to these questions they remain poorly understood. Even less understood is the relationship between social influences shaping Muslim men and the cultural, political, and intellectual trajectories of Islam in Western contexts. This book addresses the questions related to why young Muslim men often from very similar social backgrounds are pursuing such dramatically different political paths in the name of Islam. This is at the fore of international debates about citizenship and Muslim minorities and in the current international political context is a task that has more urgency than ever.