[ApplegateRanch]

However, violent "jihadi" Salafists form only a small minority within a much larger movement

"Salafism represents a clear theological vision. Salafists want a return to the lifestyle of the first few generations of Muslims. They believe in a univocal, literal reading of the Koran

Mutually exclusive statements. The Koranus explicitly demands slavishly following its every word; and to violently destroy any who believe otherwise.

But Salafism also has its weaknesses. Its very insistence on a literal and univocal reading of the religious texts leaves little room for tolerating alternative interpretations.

And NONE for competing religions, A to Z: i.e. Buddhism, Chrisitanity, Hinduism, Judaism, .... Zoroastrianism

Takfir Salafists, Bernard Haykel explains, believe in the doctrine of takfir. This doctrine enables them to routinely brand Muslims with other views than Salafism as heretics or unbelievers.

Salafists reject the beliefs of the majority of the Muslim community. They regard Shi'ites as dangerous heretics posing as Muslims and they particularly despise Sufis, the mystics of Islam. They often refer to a tradition according to which the Prophet had said that towards the end of time, there would be 73 groups of Muslims of which only one would be "saved" and enter Paradise.

Why is there any surprise, feigned or otherwise, that this appeals to baggy-panted Muslim youth?

[Eighth Square]

I for one, will be unable to sleep tonight unless we can firmly establish as to whether these folks are Baggy-Panted or Half-Masted.