Gender-Based Explosions: The Nexus between Muslim Masculinities, Jihadist Islamism, and Terrorism

First colonized and now living under political oppression, experiencing marginalization, and feeling dejection and humiliation, many Muslim men in and outside Muslim countries have no opportunities to prove themselves as "honorable" or practice "masculinity" in culturally prescribed ways. Troubled and troublesome, many turn to militant jihadist networks to achieve self-actualization and heroism. Terrorist networks, acting as surrogates to national liberation and antiauthoritarian movements, further complicate these dynamics. Maleeha Aslam argues that gender is a fundamental battleground on which al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their types must be defeated. Issues of regressive radicalism, literalism, militancy, and terrorism can only be solved through people-centered interventions. Therefore, governments and civil society should promote an alternative culture of growth, self-expression, and actualization for Muslim men. To achieve sustainable counterterrorism results, Aslam recommends emphasizing masculine behaviour within the context of Muslim tradition and expanding the scope of required interventions beyond those confined to Islam. The book also includes empirical data from a pilot study conducted on Pakistani Muslim masculinities. Framing The Global Chaos: An Overview -- The Global Jihadist Movement -- Terrorism And Counterterrorism: An Overview Of Current Strategies -- Islam, Masculinities And Performance -- Gender Theory -- Islamic Masculinities -- Muslim Masculinities -- Pakistani Masculinities And Vulnerable Social Groups In The Age Of Terror: A Pilot Study Of Muslim Men In Islamabad, Aged 18-40 -- Research Setting: Contextualizing The Pilot Study On Pakistani Masculinities -- Self-image, Social Expectations And Pressures -- Muslim Masculinities In The Age Of Terror -- Muslim Masculinities, Militant-jihadist Islamism And Suicide Terrorism -- Islamism, Terrorism And The Vulnerable In Society -- Analysis Of The Pilot Study. Maleeha Aslam. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 280-304) And Index. This publication argues that'gender'is a fundamental battleground on which Al Qaeda, the Taliban and their types have to be defeated. Issues of regressive radicalism, literalism, militancy and terrorism can only be solved through people-centred interventions. Therefore, relevant governments and civil society should promote an alternative culture of growth, self-expression and actualization for Muslim men. To achieve sustainable counterterrorism results, Aslam recommends underlining masculinities in Muslim contexts and expanding the scope of required interventions beyond those confined to Islam(ism), the opposing sects and ideological movements of which rarely agree. This book also includes empirical data from a pilot study conducted on Pakistani Muslim masculinities. Argues that gender is a fundamental battleground on which al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their types must be defeated. This title recommends emphasizing masculine behaviour within the context of Muslim tradition and expanding the scope of required interventions beyond those confined to Islam to achieve sustainable counterterrorism results.