Case Studies

Abstract

This chapter will examine three case studies relating to UK-based Muslim individuals who resided in the UK in the 1990s during which there was significant conflict and upheaval affecting the Muslim world, e.g., the first Gulf war, the Balkans Conflict, Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, etc. These events, together with the tense political climates in other Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia were arguably precipitating factors in the extreme radicalisation of the three individuals in question.¹ The fourth case study examines a younger Muslim convert who, while not experiencing the socio-religious and political conflicts of the 1990s, nevertheless experienced the aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings. Case study number four is the only study which discusses the gravitation of an individual away from violent extremism. The remaining three studies describe gravitations towards it.