The limitations and dangers of Western government funding and promotion of Islam in the context of the new 'war of ideas'

Abstract

A widely shared view in Europe is that fighting radicalization and terrorism supposes the promotion of a “good moderate Islam”. This view is based more on unchecked prerequisites (the more religious you are, the more prone to radicalization) and wishful thinking (reform the theology and you will get “moderate” believers). Nevertheless there is something that can be done and be efficient in the long term: developing spaces where Muslims and specifically imams can develop a theological reflection in a European intellectual framework.