Contemporary Salafism in the West

On July 1st, the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University will host a high-level panel discussion on the evolving presence of Salafism in the West. While often viewed exclusively through the narrow lens of religious rigorism, Salafism remains a complex, diverse, and contested current within Sunni Islam—one that has notably expanded in Western contexts over the past decades. This event will bring together leading experts to unpack the multifaceted nature of Salafi thought, practice, and outreach across the United States and Europe.

Across its various expressions, Salafism has developed in tension with—and sometimes in reaction to—the norms, institutions, and public spaces of liberal democracies. Whether through the establishment of religious infrastructure, the representation of Muslim communities in secular societies, or debates over religious authority and legitimacy, Salafi actors have become increasingly influential in shaping contemporary Islamic discourse and identity in the West.

The conversation will offer a critical and contextualized reading of how Salafi ideas are shaped, transmitted, and contested within Western environments. Particular attention will be given to the decentralization of religious authority enabled by digital spaces, the rise of aestheticized and lifestyle-oriented forms of da'wa, and the adaptation of Salafi discourse to resonate with younger, globalized audiences. These dynamics will be examined in relation to broader issues of integration, identity politics, securitization, and the future of Islamic authority in pluralistic societies.

The Program on Extremism is honored to host:

• Dr. Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King’s College London.
• Professor Mohamed-Ali Adraoui, Assistant Professor, Radboud University.
• Dr. Sergio Altuna Galán, Senior Research Fellow, Program on Extremism and Project Lead for TITAN.

The discussion will be moderated by Jennifer Baker, Senior Research Fellow at the Program on Extremism.

Register Here!