Secularization and religion:a comparative study for the prevention and disengagement from Islamic religious extremism among non-criminals

Since the eighteenth century, the rise of the Islamic revival movement has contributed to the emergence of Islamic religious extremism as a central ideological foundation for contemporary terrorism, posing global security challenges. Despite diverse state counter-strategies, the threat persists and has evolved into increasingly complex, dynamic, and multifaceted forms. Given that this ideology often instrumentalizes religion to pursue political and social goals, a renewed scholarly and policy-oriented reflection is required on the relationship between secularization and religion in the post-secular era. This dissertation emphasizes that addressing Islamic religious extremism and reconciling the tensions it generates between religious traditions and modern societal structures necessitates a profound understanding of its emergence and operation in the context of globalization. The study is structured in four chapters. Chapter I establishes conceptual and terminological foundations, discussing preventive and disengagement strategies and the challenges of applying them to non-criminal individuals. Chapter II examines legal and institutional approaches in France, Italy, and China, analyzing both empirical and theoretical dimensions and highlighting social and normative challenges within national and international contexts. Chapter III, building on comparative legal analysis, proposes policy recommendations at micro and macro levels to enhance the effectiveness and normative balance of legal responses. Chapter IV concludes by reviewing the overall framework, reflecting on its limitations and innovations, and outlining future research directions. By integrating interdisciplinary insights, this dissertation provides a global reference for understanding and governing Islamic religious extremism. It emphasizes that policy responses must be adaptable, capable of addressing the diverse and evolving nature of extremism, and sensitive to the social and political dynamics of different national contexts, fostering dialogue between religious traditions and modern social structures and promoting the harmonious coexistence of diverse communities.