The Spread of Radical Islam in Contemporary France: The View of French Researchers

Abstract

The paper focuses on the rather pressing topic in France for the last decades — the spread of radical Islamism, in its most dangerous form for society — extremism. The author examines the main ways of spreading radical Islamism on the basis of French research institutes’ reports, as well as academic works of French authors studying this topic. Special attention is paid to correctional institutions where radical Islamic and jihadist ideas are most developed. In this regard, the analysis of prison chaplains and their work becomes important for understanding the radicalization features of French Muslims.