The Islamic State in Britain
Radicalization and Resilience in an Activist Network

Presents the first ethnographic study of al-Muhajiroun, an outlawed activist network that survived British counter-terrorism efforts and sent fighters to the Islamic State.

Michael Kenney (Author)

9781108456685, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 September 2019

301 pages, 10 b/w illus. 8 tables
28 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.46 kg

'Through various impressive interviews with the organization's members, Kenney details how the group mobilized, recruited, sustained collective action, responded to counterterrorism, and handled members who exited the organization. The key contributions of this work are its network analysis of the group and the vast array of interview material. One of Kenney's significant conclusions is that the Emigrants provided an alternative to violence for younger males prone to radicalization. This insight is new and unique and, coupled with the very interesting interviews, makes this book an impressive read.' Perspectives on Politics

Drawing on extensive field research with activists on the streets of London, Michael Kenney provides the first ethnographic study of a European network implicated in terrorist attacks and sending fighters to the Islamic State. For over twenty years, al-Muhajiroun (Arabic for 'the Emigrants') strived to create an Islamic state in Britain through high-risk activism. A number of Emigrants engaged in violence, while others joined the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Kenney explains why young Britons joined the Emigrants, how they radicalized and adapted their activism, and why many of them eventually left. Through an innovative mix of ethnography and network analysis, Kenney explains the structure and processes behind this outlawed network and explores its remarkable resilience. What emerges is a complex, nuanced portrait that demystifies the Emigrants while challenging conventional wisdom on radicalization and countering violent extremism.

Introduction: meeting the Emigrants
1. Al-Muhajiroun's small-world solution
2. Joining the Emigrants
3. A community of true believers
4. Resilient activism
5. Leaving al-Muhajiroun
Conclusion: ending the Emigrants.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Sociology [JHB], Research methods: general [GPS]