Salafism, State-Politics, and the Question of “Extremism” in Ethiopia
Issue: Vol 8 No. 1-2 (2012)
Journal: Comparative Islamic Studies
Subject Areas: Religious Studies Islamic Studies
Abstract:
The Muslim demonstrations in Addis Ababa 2012–2013 have intensified claims that Islam in Ethiopia is becoming increasingly radicalized, and it is particularly the Salafis who are labeled as the “extremists”. My argument is that the word “extremism” is not very fruitful for understanding these developments or Salafism as a phenomenon. The intention of this article is to analyze Ethiopian Salafism as a product of both trans-local ideological impetuses and local particularities, and to demonstrate how these factors have proved pivotal the Salafis detachment from public and political life.
Author: Terje Østebø
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