Radicalization of islam in Central Asia: Theory, trends and prospects

Abstract

Proliferation of radical Islamist movements across Central Asia since the collapse of the Soviet Union is substantiated by the increasing support to such groups as the Hizb utTahrir, the Al Islamiyya and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in the form of political, cultural and educational activities. This paper aims at demonstrating how theoretical tools from social movement literature can contribute to the analysis of transformation of potential followers into active supporters for these radical Islamic groups. It argues that use and application of socio-structural models to explain the rising support for these groups is of limited utility since such models tend to ignore variation among these movements. Rather this paper focuses on resource mobilization, political opportunity and framing perspectives in the study of social movements in order to advance our understanding of the diverse ideological, organizational and resource management work required to facilitate the mobilization of potential followers.