The Dynamics of Islamic Radicalization in Bangladesh

Confronting the Crisis

Bibliographic Data

ID3520051
AuthorsRifat Binte Lutful (0000-0001-5616-8150, University of Delaware, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume14
Issue10
Pages1244
Publication date2023-09-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel14101244
OpenAlexW4387176188
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited29

This article examines the implications of banning Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, from running in elections and the effect of the Bangladesh government's co-optation of the radical Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam. The article contends that more Islamic radicalization occurs as the opportunity for moderate Islamist parties decreases. Using a variety of qualitative methods, the article finds that banning Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami led to a rise in perceptions of the Bangladesh government as anti-Islamic. To counter that sentiment, the Awami League (AL) government co-opted the more radical Islamist organization Hefazat-e-Islam. Such acts increased Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's tendency to engage in violence. Moreover, radical Islamists working under Hefazat-e-Islam secured a window of opportunity for country-wide Islamic radicalization. Together these findings illuminate the tradeoffs faced by the Bangladesh government when confronted with religious radicalization in the political sphere, offering insights into how the Bangladesh government can better manage such tradeoffs in the future

Islam · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Radicalization · Sociology · Theology · Asian Studies and History · Bangladesh Politics, Society, and Development · Law · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

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