Transnational Solidarity of Salafi ʿUlama

This chapter examines the history of transnational networks of Salafi ʿulama in the context of Islamism. It looks at the emergence of Salafi cross-border connections which began as apolitical, but gradually mutated, witnessing the development of the activist haraki trend. The chapter then examines how both haraki and quietist ʿulama forged regional alliances to preserve their interpretations of political Islam by endorsing other ʿulama of similar views. These interactions cross national boundaries, and take place within the framework of domestic, regional, and global political circumstances. The chapter analyzes whether these political circumstances foster or destabilize the networks of ʿulama as they attempt to construct and maintain Salafi political or apolitical identity.