Mihai Dragnea, Joseph Fitsanakis, Darko Trifunović, John M. Nomikos, Vasko Stamevski, and Adriana Cupcea, eds. Aspects of Islamic Radicalization in the Balkans after the Fall of Communism

This book, Aspects of Islamic Radicalization in the Balkans after the Fall of Communism, a project initiated by the Balkan History Association, is a work with high professional and scientific dimensions, in which the authors have addressed the most sensitive and complex phenomenon in the Western Balkans: Islamic radicalism and extremism. Through serious research with objectivity and academic responsibility, editors Mihai Dragnea, Joseph Fitsanakis, Darko Trifunović, John M. Nomikos, Vasko Stamevski, and Adriana Cupcea emhpasize the fact that the places where the East meets the West and Islam meets Christianity are potential sites for various geopolitical crises and conflicts. In this aspect, the Balkan region, known as an explosive environment and characterized by ethnic and religious differences and long-term lack of security after the fall of communism has been treated as an ideal environment for the promotion of various nationalism and religious extremisms.In these circumstances, various humanitarian organizations from the Middle East, either directly or through established humanitarian or religious institutions of the countries of the region, have financed the construction or reconstruction of hundreds of mosques and various facilities of the Muslim community in the region. This created stronger community bonds, but with a heavy emphasis on religious indoctrination. It could also be said that this was a quid pro quo arrangement because the financial assistance of these foundations and humanitarian associations was conditional on a call for stronger religious affiliation. In the case of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Sandžak, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, this often manifested itself through a strong movement toward the Salafist and Wahhabi Islamic faith. These ultraconservative versions of Sunni Islam unfortunately encourage the need to engage in jihad (or fighting in the name of faith). And so the conversion of many Muslims in the Balkan countries from a tolerant and moderate form of Islam to a version that supports conflict with the West has created an ideal environment for the development of extreme religious beliefs.The authors of this book have not limited themselves to the description of the forms of radicalism and Islamist extremism in several countries of the Western Balkans. They have also analyzed the causes and specific factors that have influenced the appearance of radicalism and Islamist extremism within these countries.The book is based on academic sources and relevant political documents found at various national and international levels and, as such, is the result of serious and multidimensional research. On the other hand, through this work, the authors have also manifested their commitment to the service of the truth, science, regional security, and the protection of the common values of the peoples of the region.Aspects of Islamic Radicalization in the Balkans after the Fall of Communism is a unique study in terms of its methodological approach. Thus, it has high practical and scientific values, both for students and for historians, sociologists, politicians, and state officials.