Securing Identities, Resisting Terror: Muslim Youth Work in the UK and its Implications for Security

Violent Radicalization Religion Security Human Rights

In the context of security in the post-9/11 era, identifying vulnerability to violent extremism has become a key feature in countering terrorism. In relation to Al-Qaeda- related violence – considered the greatest form of terrorist threat to western states – young Muslims have come under increasing scrutiny, identified as the most susceptible to Al-Qaeda (AQ) ideology and in need of support (HMG, 2008, p. 6). Despite the contested nature of radicalisation models (Hutson et al., 2009, p. 18) this vulnerability is understood by experts in terms of risk factors (contextual features in a person’s life) and specific drivers (such as belief in violent extremist theology), which are considered as contributing towards the development of an individual’s violent radicalisation Religion, State & Society.