The limit-experience and self-deradicalisation: the example of radical Salafi youth

This article gives an example of self-deradicalisation from Tunisia. It addresses the potential of radicalized individuals to de-radicalize themselves from within the Salafi doctrine with no external interventions, while the state’s religious rehabilitation approaches to tackling radicalism not only fail but are counter-productive. Deradicalisation could, of course, involve a more comprehensive rejection of Salafi ideology. This article suggests that an effective type of deradicalisation is, more likely to make the desired change possible, is one in which there is a gradual modification of some attitudes and behaviours without abandoning the whole underpinning Salafi ideology. Referring to the personal narratives of 28 individual Tunisian Salafis, the article identifies phases of radicalization and deradicalisation as the individual voluntarily moves from embracing radical ideology to a more critical understanding and practice reflecting on personal and interpersonal experiences of being radicalized. The research shows that the process of self-deradicalisation is reflective of Salafi youth experience of engagement with radicalism and is more likely to happen in societies that allow political expression and individual freedom that invoke individuals’ critical thinking.