There is very little research on why young Muslims become radicalized. Therefore, it was new territory Lene ventured into when she wrote the assignment.
Image: Lene wrote the thesis at the Department of Psychology at Aarhus University.
Amir became a Syrian fighter
The paper analyzes Amir's radicalization process. As a child, Amir was empathetic and well-liked. He dreamed of opening his own sports car repair shop and started technical school. However, when his parents divorced, his life became uncertain and he dropped out of technical school.
Amir met some men from a mosque in Copenhagen who were kind to him, but also gave him booklets about Islam and gave him lessons in the home of one of the men. The values of the radicalized environment were very much in line with the values of the Islamic State in Syria, which he traveled to and fought for.
Many factors contribute to radicalization
Lene explains that there are many mechanisms at work when young people in Danmark become radicalized to such an extent that they hurt other people: "We live in a late modern society characterized by structures that make it harder for individuals to satisfy basic psychological needs such as community and identity formation. Engagement in a radicalized environment can help individuals meet these needs. However, it is important to recognize that all narratives of radicalization are individual, and that there is something personal at stake for anyone who engages in a highly radicalized environment."
Book a lecture
Churches, mission centers, associations, Bible study groups and others interested in hearing about Lene's work can invite her to come and speak. She has also visited the work of the Danish European Mission and can talk about persecuted Christians and what we can learn from them.
