The Boko Haram paradox: ethnicity, religion, and historical memory in pursuit of a caliphate

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The Boko Haram paradox: ethnicity, religion, and historical memory in pursuit of a caliphate
Authors:	Pieri, Zacharias P. Zenn, Jacob
Year:	2016
Periodical:	African security (ISSN 1939-2214)
Volume:	9
Issue:	1
Pages:	66-88
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	Islamic movements terrorism political ideologies political systems Boko Haram
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2016.1132906
Abstract:	To Boko Haram, Nigeria is a colonial construct, lacking Islamic legitimacy and destined to lead society in a downward spiral of Western immorality. The only way to regain northern Nigeria's former glory is through a repudiation of democracy, constitutionalism, and Western values and a return to Islamic governance on the model of the historic caliphates. The authors argue that Boko Haram's leaders draw their inspiration and legitimacy from Usman Dan Fodio's 1804 Fulani-led jihad and his subsequent establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate in northern Nigeria but seek to implement this style of caliphate in the Kanuri homelands of the former Kanem-Borno Empire. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]