Religious Extremism

Turkish President Opens Germany’s Largest Mosque

December 07, 2018

During Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Cologne, Germany, to open the country’s largest mosque, he was met with local supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Turkish nationalist-paramilitary Grey Wolves.
Islamism, Patriarchy Continue to Impede Afghan Security Reforms

December 05, 2018

Billions of dollars in US-NATO security sector reforms in Afghanistan, aiming at the integration of women into Afghan military structures and into the provision of human security at the local level, have made little progress against the powerful social pressure of Islamist ideology and traditional patriarchy in the Southwest Asian country.
Corruption, Ultra-Extremism Weaken Saudi Islamist Theocracy

December 05, 2018

Writer Daniel Lazare explains how endemic corruption in the state leadership apparatus in Saudi Arabia, combined with pressure from al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) ultra-extremists who view the Saudi regime as lacking in Islamist rigor, are combining to weaken the Mideast’s largest Islamist theocracy.
Tensions Mount in Mauritania over Influence of Muslim Brotherhood

December 05, 2018

The recent closure of two Islamic schools of higher education by Mauritania’s government because of their alleged links to political Islamist opposition groups has evoked student demonstrations in the West African country.
Turkish Government Threatens Extrajudicial Ops in US

December 04, 2018

The official spokesman for Turkey’s Islamist government said the country’s national intelligence service may carry out extrajudicial operations on US soil to kidnap supporters of the Gulenist Islamist group that has ruptured support for the regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Saudi Rail Upgrades Target Pilgrimage Revenues, Islamist Legitimacy

December 03, 2018

Saudi Arabia is banking on the Islamic pilgrimage (haj) as a continuing source of revenue for the country to stave off sociopolitical pressures with the inauguration of a new, Spanish-built, high-speed rail link between the two holy pilgrimage cities of Mecca and Medina.
Saudi Arabia Shows Signs of Growing Instability

December 03, 2018

Some experts are pointing to growing signs of instability in the Islamist theocracy of Saudi Arabia, from the mixed results of the domestic liberalization and reform efforts promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the financial drain and humanitarian disaster of the war in Yemen.
Al-Azhar Muddles Rebranding Efforts with Mixed Messages

December 03, 2018

Despite publicized stances by al-Azhar University’s leadership against sexual harassment and in favor of dialogue on “women's issues,” the institution has sent mixed messages about the Islamic State and continues to endorse the Islamic practice of verbal divorce that discriminates against women on inheritance and child-custody rights.
Musical Culture Becomes Islamist Battleground in Iran

December 03, 2018

Musicians in Iran are seeking to shape societal views, especially among the country’s youth, during the commemorative month for the Shiite prophet Ali, sparking conflict between radical Islamists and moderates.
Observers See Links Between Unemployment, Islamist Extremism in Tunisia

December 03, 2018

The World Bank and Human Rights Watch have released reports warning of the links between youth unemployment and recruitment success by Islamist radical groups in Tunisia.