Diskriminierung von Muslim:innen als Faktor in Prozessen der Radikalisierung – Perspektiven aus dem Handlungsfeld der Islamismusprävention

This article examines experiences and perceptions of discrimination by Muslims and those racialized as Muslims as a factor in processes of radicalization. The data basis is composed of 25 semi-structured interviews with practitioners of deradicalization programs countering Islamist radicalization. Based on the concept of anti-Muslim racism, discrimination was analyzed and identified at the individual, institutional, and structural-societal levels with methods of qualitative content analysis. Resulting strains and grievances, which influence the individual sense of belonging and self-images in society, are described by the interviewees as factors that can increase the vulnerability to Islamist radicalization. Islamist groups and ideologies specifically address the issue of discrimination by referral to real social problems, to which they offer extremist answers.