An Analysis of Abu Mus’ab al-Suri’s “Call to Global Islamic Resistance”

This article is a contribution to the study of religious radicalization, in particular, religious radicalization that promotes violence. The term “radicalization” will be used here to refer to the process through which individuals adopt or promote an “extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically-based violence to advance political, religious, or social change.”[1] This study applies discourse analysis[2] to a prominent radical Islamic text published after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11): Mustafa bin Abd al-Qadir Setmariam Nasar’s Call to Global Islamic Resistance (2004) – hereafter referred to as GIR (Global Islamic Resistance). As will be detailed in the sections to come, this study analyses the beliefs and worldview evident in GIR, and seeks to elucidate its persuasiveness.[1] Rogers, L., Big Brother: House passes the “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act,” 2007, available at: http://www.nogw.com/download/_07_thought_crime_bill.pdf.[2] In particular, the frame and narrative (thematic) analysis aspects of discourse analysis will be utilized.