Inspirasjonen til islamismen kom fra mange hold, også fra europeisk høyreekstremisme. Det er ikke totalt ukjent, men nye detaljer kaster interessant lys over påvirkningen fra Europa i 30-årene.

Den franske biologen Alexis Carrel er en av dem som inspirerte Sayyid Qutb. Centre for Studies in Islamism and Radicalisation (CIR) ved Århus universitet har utgitt en bok om forbindelsen. Fra omtalen:

Islam is undoubtedly the main source of Islamism, but it is not the only one. From the middle of the 19th century, Islamist ideology has been inspired by western sources, too. Doctrines like scienticism, Marxism, Nazism and Third Worldism have influenced contemporary Islamist ideologues.

In this context, the French surgeon and biologist Alexis Carrel stands as a front figure who inspired not only Sunni Islamists like Sayyid Qu?b, but also Shi‘a Islamists in Iran.

That non-Islamic ideas have played an important role in the formulation of Islamism may appear unexpected. How could an anti-western Muslim thinker like Sayyid Qu?b feel so ideologically related to a western, pro-Nazi Nobel Prize winner?
The resolution of this enigma is the main issue of this book.

John Møller Larsen possesses a highly professional knowledge of the Arabic language and Islamic history. In addition, he is very familiar with Sayyid Qu?b’s life and ideas, Qu?b having been the subject of his PhD dissertation. All these elements together render this book exceptional.

Western Source of Islamism:
Soundings in the Influence of Alexis Carrel on Sayyid Qu?b
by
John Møller Larsen

(112 pages)