Intelligence Assessment

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Foreign Travel and the Islamist
Extremist Radicalization Process
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information or intelligence must not be disclosed or used as evidence without prior consultation with the Canadian Security
intelligence Service.
Introduction
1. Islarnist extremism manifests itself in many countries and in many causes, most of which are
linked to the belief that Islamis under attack and must be defended (i.e. the Single Narrative). The
rise of what has been termed homegrown Islamist extremism, with individuals and groups
targeting Westerners in their own countries, has shifted the focus from foreign-directed attacks to
those planned and carried out in the West (although the former are still necessarily of concern).
Despite the made in the West pedigree of homegrown cells, however, the role played by foreign
travel remains very important (albeit not a necessarynor sufficient condition for the use ofviolence).
This brief will discuss the use of foreign travel by Islamist extremists in the radicalization process:
i.e. how this travel in part is used to convince and recruit others to engage in terrorist activities.
Why Travel Abroad?
2. Western-based extremists, or those on the path to extremism (i.e. in the process of becoming
radicalized), may see foreign travel as beneficial for a number of reasons. For some, travel to a
Muslim majority country is seen as a re-connection with the ummah and a way to live a more
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Islamic lifestyle 1.Others travel to gain a greater education in Islam or to learn Arabic
Some travel to visit family - another
way to re-immerse oneself in a Muslim culture. At the extreme end of the scale, some travel to
engage in jihad in specific countries. Interestingly, the latter may choose their particular jihad for
reasons often unrelated to ethnicity or prior experience.
Travel and Radicalization
3. As the Service and other intelligence agencies have noted, radicalization is a very individual
process
The Service has published a brief on the use of migration to the Muslim world (hijrah) as a ruse for jihad. See
Flijrah: Not Just Getting Away From It All, issued in 2008 07.
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Implications
7. Travel to a foreign jihad or conflict can serve to enhance the credentials and reputation of
someone attempting to convince others of the need to fight for Islam. The image of leaving ones
home to defend ones faith also calls up the early history of Islam, when the first generations engaged
in warfare to spread their religion and defeat their enemies. Those who have fought the good fight
are seen as walking the walk and cannot so easily be dismissed as mere wannabes. Furthermore,
many non radicals would see these individuals as true Muslims who sacrificed much for their faith,
regardless of whether viOlence itself was seen as a legitimate value. For some young people who
are thriliseekers or interested in the possibility of fighting j ihad, the presence of a veteran mujahid
is very attractive
8.
The role of foreign travel is thus an important factor in the radicalization
process, where stories of bravery and faith in war can inspire others to follow a similar path. Those
who have jihad experience are often transformed by it and return to their home countries enthused
and with a zeal to convince others to share their new-found desire to defend Islam. This combination
of enthusiasm, charisma and tales ofjihad can be a potent mix that can be used
to draw the vulnerable into violence. The influence that these veterans can have in their communities
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is significant
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