This thesis identifies and discusses the spread of Islamic extremism as a potential threat
to the Republic of Macedonia. It examines how Islamic extremism spread within the
Republic of Macedonia and what policies could reverse this trend.
The main research findings include the following. Major political, economic, and
legal changes in Macedonia have provided fertile ground for nontraditional Islamic
ideologies. Although adherents to radical Islamic ideologies in Macedonia have used
NGOs and charities as mobilizing structures, they were not able to create their own
organization. For most Muslims in Macedonia, critiques and visions of contemporary
radical Islamic ideologues are problematic. Findings also suggest that Muslims in
Macedonia are most vulnerable to individual recruitment; the attempts of local Islamic
extremists to mobilize a greater number of followers for collective action were
unsuccessful. In Macedonia, Islamic extremist ideologies are not a reaction to secularism
and modernism, nor do they defend religion. Thus, their activities in Macedonia can be
categorized as forms of potential or marginal fundamentalism. This thesis suggests that
nurturing a culture of questioning and debating may counter radical Islamic ideologies.
Other policy recommendations for counterterrorism measures include fighting organized
crime and application of social network analysis concepts.