About Book

This seminal article by Omar Ashour delves into the underexplored terrain of Islamist de-radicalization, concentrating on the case of Egypt’s Islamic Group (al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya). Through detailed qualitative analysis, Ashour pinpoints four independent variables that significantly contributed to the group's ideological shift away from violence: 1. State Repression 2. Selective Inducements 3. Interaction with the 'Other' 4. Leadership (Taylor & Francis Online) The article provides robust empirical grounding to support a theoretical framework of ideological moderation within formerly militant movements. It critically addresses the mechanisms through which armed Islamist organizations transform—demonstrating when and how ideological de-radicalization translates into behavioral change.The article offers a methodologically sound and theory-driven account of radical transformation—a rarely documented phenomenon in the study of Islamist groups. It precedes Ashour's later monograph and serves as a crucial scholarly bridge between case-specific insights and broader de-radicalization processes. Its significance lies in providing both empirical nuance and analytic clarity, making it highly suitable for repositories concerned with extremism, security, Middle Eastern studies, and political transitions.