Fundamentalist Separation or Extremist Indoctrination: Salafism in Contemporary Society. A study of preventative practices’ adaptation to Salafist Radicalisation in Sweden

Salafism is a fundamentalist belief of Islam and its believers strive to live like their forefathers did. In Sweden, the group aim for peaceful segregation and isolation among their believers, rejects modernity and avoid socialisation with Western society and its inhabitants. Salafism has recently acquired more attention due to the terrorist organisation ISIS which justifies their actions based on the Salafist jihadist doctrine, and hundreds of people left Sweden to fight for their cause. The divide between peaceful isolation and warfare is vast and it raises questions of what Salafism really is. As presented by academic research Salafism is complex and how to live accordingly to their faith is divided between different actors. With Salafism’s complexity, its increased presence in Europe, and its wide-reaching online preaching and propaganda, it raises further questions of how authorities are up to date with this topic, and more importantly, how does the relevant authorities work to prevent radicalisation that leads to Salafist jihadism and potentially recruitment to terrorist organisations? This thesis offer knowledge of what Salafism is, how Salafism is portrayed in Sweden by academic research and the societal debate, how Swedish local police and municipalities are working preventively with radicalisation, as well as a theoretical analysis of Salafism from the perspective of legal pluralism. The study concludes that there is consistency between academic research and the societal debate in regards of discussed content and problematic occurrences of Salafism in Sweden. Those working preventively with radicalisation does on the other hand have a minor knowledge of Salafism and are not targeting Salafism specifically in their efforts. Therefore, there is a limited understanding of the specific mechanisms in the Salafist belief that can contribute to the radicalisation process. Lastly, I discuss how legal pluralism can be used in future efforts to gain a better understanding of the Salafist community and Salafist radicalisation