Salafism in Lebanon
Local and Transnational Movements

Examines the entrenchment of Salafism in Lebanese society while also highlighting the movement's transnational links to the Persian Gulf.

Zoltan Pall (Author)

9781108446099, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 June 2020

263 pages
23 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.41 kg

'Pall has written a highly informative book on the Salafi movement in Lebanon. Based largely on years of fieldwork in northern Lebanon and supported by deep knowledge of the country's sectarian and political relations, this book sheds important light on the 'purist' and 'haraki' (activist) Salafis and their transnational links to the Gulf.' Joas Wagemakers, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands

The past two decades have seen an increasing association between Lebanese Salafism and violence, with less attention being paid to Salafis who focus on peaceful proselytization. In reality, it is these Salafis whose influence has dramatically grown since the eruption of the Syrian conflict that profoundly affected Lebanon as well. Based on extensive fieldwork, Zoltan Pall offers insights into the dynamics of non-violent Lebanese Salafi groups and examines the importance of transnational links in shaping the trajectory of the movement. In particular, he shows how the internal transformation of Salafism in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia led to the fragmentation of the Lebanese Salafi community. By analysing Salafism as a network, we see how the movement creates and mobilizes material and symbolic resources, and how it contributes to reshaping the structures of authority within the country's Sunni Muslim community.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. The transformation of Salafism in the Gulf
2. Salafi expansion in the 1990s
3. The fragmentation of Salafism in northern Lebanon
4. The authority of Salafi Shaykhs
5. The structure of Lebanese Salafi networks at the local level
6. Transnational networks of Lebanese Salafis
7. Recruitment
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Political activism [JPW], Society & social sciences [J], Islamic life & practice [HRHP], General & world history [HBG], History [HB], Humanities [H]