Salafism and the Politics of Free Market Religion

Analyzing Salafism shows that it promotes a free market “faith economy,” seeking to break the monopoly of state religion over Muslim identity, analysis of texts, and daily religious life.

by Joe Bradford

“Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.”
~ Milton Friedman

If Islamism is a dirty word, then Salafism is a pejorative. While the origins of both these terms are certainly fluid and relational,¹ Salafism has often been demonized, particularly in the West. Despite this, Salafism has been a sign…