Islam: Salafi, Wahhabi, and That's Just a Start

The phrase "Salafist group" came up in a news item today.

The war on terror has introduced me to many new words and phrases. Looking up "Salafist group," I found what Princeton has to say about the term:

• Salafist Group "Salafast Group for Call and Combat, GSPC (an Algerian extremist Islamic offshoot of the Armed Islamic Group; now the largest and most active armed terrorist group in Algeria that seeks to overthrow the government; a major source of support and recruitment for al-Qaeda operations in Europe and northern Africa)"
• Salafast Group for Call and Combat, "GSPC (an Algerian extremist Islamic offshoot of the Armed Islamic Group; now the largest and most active armed terrorist group in Algeria that seeks to overthrow the government; a major source of support and recruitment for al-Qaeda operations in Europe and northern Africa)"

From another source, I found more detail and background about Salafi Islam. Here's a very brief summary of part of what I found there.

• Salafi: Muslims who believe that they are following Islam as it was in the first three generations.
• Wahhabi: A particular group within those who are Salafi.
• Muwahhidun: ("Unitarians," or "unifiers of Islamic practice") the term which followers of Salafi use to describe themselves.

Not all Salafi are terrorists. Many are very firm in their beliefs, but not violent. There isn't an equivalent in the Christian tradition, but it's somewhat as if a sect of Shakers decided to force simplicity on unbelievers with roadside bombs.

I discussed some branches of Islam in August, including Salafi Islam, Wahhabi Islam, and the Muwahhidun.

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