Looking at jihadist movements from the inside, examining their internal disagreements and how they relate to the communities around them, this study draws on case studies from North Africa and the Sahel to shed new light on the phenomenon of mass-based jihadist movements and proto-states.
The book explores the impact of Salafism, a significant Muslim movement, on the transformation of religious authority in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. It delves into how this movement is influencing the religious landscape and reshaping traditional beliefs and practices within the nation. Through analysis, it highlights the broader implications of Salafism's rise in a diverse and complex socio-religious context.
Thurston has written the definitive history of Boko Haram. By weaving a complex tapestry of politics and religion, he explains the peculiarity and potency of one of the world's most lethal jihadist insurgencies. A violent and secretive sect that was impenetrable even to experts is now laid bare.-- William McCants, author of The ISIS Apocalypse.e.