Islam, Fundamentalism, Moderation and Terrorism
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University of Warwick institutional repository: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of Warwick http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap/74064 This thesis is made available online and is protected by original copyright. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item for information to help you to cite it. Our policy information is available from the repository home page. Incubating Extremist Terrorism: The UK Islamic Fundamentalist Movement 1989-2014 By Lewis Herrington MEng (Computer Science) MA (International Security) MA (Politics) A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and International Relations University of Warwick, Department of Politics and International Relations March 2015 Abstract The emergence of Islamist terrorism in the UK has its genesis within an environment socially constructed by the organization of fundamentalist Muslims. Since 1989, Islamic preachers arriving in London from the Middle East have religiously mobilized hundreds of British Muslims drawing them into an extremist milieu termed the “Islamic Fundamentalist Movement” by the author. Followers are encouraged to adopt extreme political narratives and pursue activities designed to re-establish an Islamic Caliphate. Contrary to the prevailing discourse, Islamic fundamentalist Muslims are far from constituting a homogenous set of individuals. Based on age, overseas connections, experience of conflict and religiosity, they each fulfill specific tasks. These include but are not limited to recruitment, preaching, fundraising, facilitating and combative jihad. Through socialisation and participation in this movement, a minority of adherents have crossed the line and developed a mindset in which terrorism has become normalised. For this subgroup of extreme fundamentalists, suicide bombing against fellow citizens is considered a legitimate means in which to defend co-religionists, challenge western interference in Muslim lands and support the recently established Islamic State that now spans Northern Iraq and Syria. This doctoral study draws heavily upon recently obtained court transcripts, interviews with counter terrorism officers, politicians, journalists and counter radicalisation workers in order to provide a unique insight to the environment from which the individuals responsible for major UK terrorism conspiracies witnessed since 2003 have emerged. Keywords Islam, Islamic Fundamentalism, Domestic Terrorism, Extremism, Jihad, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State Acknowledgements The author would very much like to thank Professor Richard Aldrich for his unwavering support, direction and tireless encouragement throughout the duration of this doctoral study. In particular, for reviewing seemingly endless drafts and remaining patient through the many ups and downs, trials and tribulations that we Page 2 of 370 encountered along the way. Thank you Richard, we did it! Many thanks also to Dr Steve Luci Matthews for providing much needed support over the years; the ability to spend time gathering data and networking in London would not have been possible without your kind assistance. To the individuals who afforded their time for interviews, I thank each of you. Amardeep Bassey, David Blunkett, Charles Clarke, Duncan Gardham, Mohammed Khan, Jahan Mahmood, Omar Nasiri, Stuart Osbourne, Raff Pantucci, Chris Sneddon, Richard Walton and Ken McAuley. Thank you also to Allan Dade for proof reading, not an easy task. On a personal note, I would like to conclude by thanking my friends and family but in particular Abigail Thain. I would not have made it without you Abs, thank you for inspiring, encouraging, supporting and generally helping get me get back on track towards the finish line. This thesis is dedicated firstly to my late Grandfather Dr A J Moyes, who inspired me to pursue my doctorate and secondly my daughter Elise. May it inspire her one day to follow in my footsteps, to work hard, to pursue her dreams and to always remember that its not about where you are from, but where you are going that matters. Declaration This thesis is entirely the original work and therefore copyright of Lewis Herrington. It has not been submitted for a degree at any another university. British Prime Minister David Cameron “We must be clear: to defeat the ideology of extremism we need to deal with all forms of extremism – not just violent extremism. We must ban preachers of hate from coming to our countries. We must proscribe organisations that incite terrorism against people at home and abroad. And we must stop the so called non-violent extremists from inciting hatred and intolerance in our schools, our universities and yes, even our prisons. Of course there are some who will argue that this is not compatible with free speech and intellectual inquiry. But I say: would we sit back and allow right-wing extremists, Nazis or Klu Klux Klansmen to recruit on our university campuses? No” David Cameron Speech to the UN General Assembly 25th September 2014 Page 3 of 370 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 9 ISLAM, FUNDAMENTALISM, MODERATION AND TERRORISM .................................................................. 13 RISE OF THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST MOVEMENT ............................................................................ 14 POLITICS ASSOCIATED WITH ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM ..................................................................... 16 ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN PURSUIT OF A CALIPHATE ........................................................................... 17 TERRORISM BORN FROM ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM ............................................................................. 20 CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................... 21 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................................. 23 DEFINING TERRORISM .................................................................................................................................... 25 EXPLANATIONS FOR SUICIDE TERRORISM .................................................................................................. 30 Manipulation by radicalising agents ................................................................................................. 30 Religion ........................................................................................................................................................... 34 Occupation .................................................................................................................................................... 39 Strategic outbidding ................................................................................................................................. 43 Trauma ........................................................................................................................................................... 47 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................. 54 RESEARCH DESIGN .......................................................................................................................................... 54 CENTRAL DISSERTATION QUESTION ........................................................................................................... 62 Sub Research Questions ........................................................................................................................... 63 RESEARCH METHODS ..................................................................................................................................... 64 SAMPLING ......................................................................................................................................................... 67 PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................................................................... 68 DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................................... 68 ETHICS ............................................................................................................................................................... 69 CONTRIBUTION TO LITERATURE .................................................................................................................. 69 CHAPTER ONE - ISLAM, FUNDAMENTALISM, MODERATION AND TERRORISM ...... 72 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISLAM AND TERRORISM ........................................................................... 73 AN IDEA OF ISLAM ........................................................................................................................................... 79 Unity of God (Monotheism) .................................................................................................................... 80 Five Pillars ..................................................................................................................................................... 81 Sunni & Shia ................................................................................................................................................