Visiting Speaker: Dr Muhammad Najib Azca (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

Combining social movement theory framework and life history approach, I examine the dynamics of identity, emotions and social networks of the non-local Muslim fighters (post-jihadists) in the post-jihad period. In this paper I will discuss the life story narratives of three post-jihadists who were involved in local politics in the aftermath of their jihad participation. Two of them joined jihad through KOMPAK (a humanitarian group affiliated with DDII, the Indonesian Council for Islamic Propagation) and another one through PKPU (a humanitarian group affiliated with Tarbiyah movement). They later engaged in local politics through the Islamic party, namely PBB (the Masyumi predecessor) and PKS (the Prosperous and Justice Party), and Islamic paramilitary group, FPI (Islamic Defender Front). My paper will contribute to understanding of consequences of jihad participation at two levels: at personal level of the biography of post-jihad actors and at societal level of the dynamics of Islamist movements in general. It will also contribute to knowledge of demobilization processes and the re-stabilization of identity politics within the framework of social movement studies.