Al-Qaeda and Islamic State from a theological perspective

There seems to be a peculiar link between theology and the phenomenon of transnational jihadism. We have invited Dr. Adis Duderija - one of the internationally most recognized scholars in the field of contemporary Islamic Studies - for a talk about the subject with senior researcher Mona Sheikh and postdoc Saer El-Jaichi from DIIS. 

The seminar will focus on the two similar - yet very different - organizations - Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. On the way they look upon global and local jihadism, on the connection between Salafism and traditional Sunni Islam and on the rift between the two movements.  
Some say that the Sunni tradition has a special propensity to justify jihadist violence. But in which way does Salafi doctrines shape the objectives and strategies of jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State and what explains the differences among the two jihadi movements? 

The seminar is for students, researchers, and people with a certain knowledge of or specific interest in jihadism. 

Speakers
Dr. Adis Duderija, senior lecturer, Griffith University. He is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of contemporary Islamic Studies especially in relation to contemporary Islam with special reference to progressive Islam, gender issues in Islam, Islamic fundamentalism /extremism/ radicalism, western Muslim identity construction and interfaith dialogue theory. 

Dr. Saer El-Jaichi, postdoc, DIIS. His current research focuses on the theological aspects of transnational jihadism by looking closely into the religious arguments and the worldview of influential jihadist ideologues and movements like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Dr. Mona Kanwal Sheikh, senior researcher, DIIS. Her research focuses on religious legitimizations of, and mobilization to, violence. She heads a multi-disciplinary team of researchers examining the dynamics behind the transnationalization of jihad and developing novel ways of thinking about the containment of transnationalized conflicts.

Programme
10.00-10.20     Introduction: How are they religious?, Mona Kanwal Sheikh
10.20-11.00     Jihadi Salafism and Mainstream Sunnism – connections and disconnection, Adis Duderija
11.00-11.30     Cleavages and Divisions in the Jihadi Movement, Saer El-Jaichi
11.30-12.00     Q&A from the audience

The seminar was held on Monday 5 September, 10.00-12.00 in DIIS Auditorium.