Not All Salafis Are Jihadis

Counter/Argument: A Middle East Podcast

In the United States, Salafism has become synonymous with Islamic fundamentalism or Jihadism. But what do we really know about Salafism? Join host Naghmeh Sohrabi as she speaks with Raihan Ismail, author of Rethinking Salafism: The Transnational Networks of Salafi ‘Ulama in Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, about misconceptions surrounding Salafi thought, the surprising diversity in Salafi traditions, and the significance of local contexts in shaping their positions on issues such as Shi’ism, women, and allegiance to rulers.
Raihan Ismail, senior lecturer at the Australian National University and the Goldman Faculty Leave Fellow at the Crown Center.
Naghmeh Sohrabi, director for research at the Crown Center and the Charles (Corky) Goodman Professor of Middle East History.
More Resources

• Raihan Ismail, “Al-Azhar and the Salafis in Egypt: Contestation of two traditions,” The Muslim World, March 13, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1111/muwo.12455
• Joas Wagemakers, “Salafism,” Oxford English Dictionary
  https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.255

Editorial team: Naghmeh Sohrabi, Karen Spira, Ramyar D. Rossoukh
Producer: Karen Spira
Audio engineer: Levon Henry
Podcast art: Chae Lee
Theme music: "Sleeky" by ComaStudio, Pixabay
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The opinions and findings expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers exclusively and do not reflect those of the Crown Center or Brandeis University....