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Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism
This volume introduces the concept of Islamist extremist "master narratives" and offers a method for identifying and analyzing them. Drawing on rhetorical and narrative theories, the chapters examine thirteen master narratives and explain how extremists use them to solidify their base, recruit new members, and motivate actions. The book concludes with an integration of the idea of master narratives, their story forms, and archetypes into existing strategic communication understandings, and suggestions for using this approach to create counter-terrorism strategies.
253 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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About the author
Jeffry R. Halverson
8 books11 followersJeffry R. Halverson is a professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Coastal Carolina University (SC). Previously, he served as an assistant research professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University (Tempe).
Halverson is the author of Theology and Creed in Sunni Islam (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), the lead author of Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011), Islamists of the Maghreb (Routledge 2017), and the author of Searching for a King: Muslim Nonviolence and the Future of Islam (Potomac, 2012). He has also published in academic journals, including The Muslim World, The Journal of Communication, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Politics & Religion, and Media War & Conflict.
His debut novel, The Mural, was published in 2014.
Halverson is the author of Theology and Creed in Sunni Islam (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), the lead author of Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011), Islamists of the Maghreb (Routledge 2017), and the author of Searching for a King: Muslim Nonviolence and the Future of Islam (Potomac, 2012). He has also published in academic journals, including The Muslim World, The Journal of Communication, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Politics & Religion, and Media War & Conflict.
His debut novel, The Mural, was published in 2014.
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January 29, 2022
Being neither academician nor theologian, it can be fairly said my review is paved with trepidation. As a non-muslim living in a muslim-majority nation located in South East Asia, my personal experiences will color my appraisal and at the same time, also function as a decidedly limiting factor. Therefore I beg the generous indulgence of the audience for my review.
I firstly note that researchers took care to point out that many of the master narratives have contemporaries in, and in some instances derived its origins from existing stories of other current or extinct religions. The Pharaoh narrative, derived from the story of Moses and Exodus, is an obvious one. Employing history, fables, or legends as analogies to make sense of contemporary events and rally popular opinion is not an exclusively Islamic indulgence. Cite the name Cao Cao to describe a modern day politician whose behind-the-scenes influences exceed that of his official capacity, and any Chinese steeped in traditional Chinese lore will immediately understand the reference.
That being said, the book serves as an invaluable guide for a non-muslim who seek to understand the talking points espoused by extremist non-state actors like Hizbut Tahrir. In this respect, the book serves to illuminate how these narratives are employed to stir strands of passions within the "ummah" i.e. Muslim community, either domestically or globally.
But more importantly, interpreting the pronouncements of conservative Muslim political organizations is of far greater import, especially for Non-Muslim minorities. This conservative groups are likely to be in or aspiring to assume the mantle of power within a state. The dissemination of certain narratives (e.g.: the Pharaoh archetype and Battle of Khaybar (read: Jews) narrative in South East Asia) are often deployed as tools of "mass mobilization" and "social control". It is not far-fetched that a non-Semitic minority can be easily reduced as a mere caricature of the Bani Qurayza i.e. the Jewish community cited in the narrative, especially if the such allusions are not easily recognized by Non-Muslims.
In conclusion, the book has given a slight but much needed depth to my relatively shallow knowledge of Islamic history, and at the same time sharpened my understanding of contemporary Muslim perceptions and allusions. #Goodreads
I firstly note that researchers took care to point out that many of the master narratives have contemporaries in, and in some instances derived its origins from existing stories of other current or extinct religions. The Pharaoh narrative, derived from the story of Moses and Exodus, is an obvious one. Employing history, fables, or legends as analogies to make sense of contemporary events and rally popular opinion is not an exclusively Islamic indulgence. Cite the name Cao Cao to describe a modern day politician whose behind-the-scenes influences exceed that of his official capacity, and any Chinese steeped in traditional Chinese lore will immediately understand the reference.
That being said, the book serves as an invaluable guide for a non-muslim who seek to understand the talking points espoused by extremist non-state actors like Hizbut Tahrir. In this respect, the book serves to illuminate how these narratives are employed to stir strands of passions within the "ummah" i.e. Muslim community, either domestically or globally.
But more importantly, interpreting the pronouncements of conservative Muslim political organizations is of far greater import, especially for Non-Muslim minorities. This conservative groups are likely to be in or aspiring to assume the mantle of power within a state. The dissemination of certain narratives (e.g.: the Pharaoh archetype and Battle of Khaybar (read: Jews) narrative in South East Asia) are often deployed as tools of "mass mobilization" and "social control". It is not far-fetched that a non-Semitic minority can be easily reduced as a mere caricature of the Bani Qurayza i.e. the Jewish community cited in the narrative, especially if the such allusions are not easily recognized by Non-Muslims.
In conclusion, the book has given a slight but much needed depth to my relatively shallow knowledge of Islamic history, and at the same time sharpened my understanding of contemporary Muslim perceptions and allusions. #Goodreads
Displaying 1 of 1 review