Resistance to Jihadism and Grassroots Prevention in Street Culture: An Ethnography of Criminal Milieux

Over the past two decades, there has been a convergence between criminal networks and violent jihadist groups. Whether in the case of the Islamic State or Al-Shabaab, extremist groups often include individuals with criminal backgrounds. A substantial body of research has examined this phenomenon, focusing on why individuals with criminal pasts are drawn to extremist groups, how they are recruited, the threat they pose, and how they disengage or deradicalize. This article takes a different approach by examining why and how the majority of individuals with criminal backgrounds resist and actively oppose jihadist ideology and its proponents. The analysis draws on ethnographic fieldwork conducted among Muslim individuals involved in street life and crime in Norway. The article highlights (1) how these individuals socially represent those they label as “jihadists” and (2) how they act toward them. It underlines the importance of grassroot prevention, that is, preventive actions undertaken directly by friends, family members, or actors involved in street crime, who intervene at an early stage to limit radicalization and counter jihadist influence.