Jihadism in the Italian Prison System: Some Critical Notes

Abstract

The words “jihād” and “jihādism” in the Italian language are often used as synonymous and associated with the phenomenon of radicalization of detainees in the prison system. This article tries to unpack this common association of ideas and outline some significative differences between the meanings of those notions in the Islamic legal and political tradition. Moreover, taking into account the proposal of a contemporary Muslim thinker – Jawdat Sa‘id – about a “Self-Critical Jihadism” in the pluralistic society, this Article tries to outline new ways of inspiring de-radicalization’ processes in the Italian prison system at the present day.