Filtered Socialization

This chapter deals with how French Salafists come to embrace their conception of Islam. Three major structural factors are considered: socialization in a suburb, an area marginalized geographically and socially; coming from a certain type of immigrant family; belonging to marginalized youth. This chapter also addresses how Salafism echoes a generational rebellion against the rest of the society. Salafism turns out to be to a large extent the religious way of reacting a society that is seen as rejecting Muslims, especially the young generations. Besides, this chapter also sheds light on the much debated question of converts by explaining the reasons why Islam is positively regarded by some people who were not in a Muslim family.