1. Origins, objectives, & doctrines Victoria Farnsler
Boko Haram
Origins, objectives, & doctrines
Victoria Farnsler

2. Origins of boko haram
Rooted in the religious and political conflicts in Nigeria
Colonialization toppled Caliphates which existed in the region prior to 1900
Gained independence in 1960 from Britain
Political instability and Sufi representation in government lead to radical Salafist resistance in 1980’s
Maitatsine movement – used religious violence to achieve political goals
1999 new constitution, allowed Sharia law within the states
Adopted in the Northern region
Mohammad Yusuf, a Salafist preacher from Borno, split from mainstream Salafist ideals
Advocated overthrow of the government, rejection of western influence and civilization

3. Objectives
Yusuf advocated his group work towards the overthrow of the secular Nigerian state
Remove all western education and influence from the country
Convert or kill those who do not abide by their interpretation of Salafism
Yusuf’s death in 2009 lead to a change in objectives
Went from targeting the state to targeting civilians
Maintained the Caliphate as the end goal

4. Doctrines Ideology based in radical interpretation of the Quran Texts
“The Secular, Foreign, and Colonial Schools: Their History and Dangers”
This is where they got the name Boko Haram from
”This is Our Creed and Methodology of our Propagation”
Written by Yusuf shortly before his death in 2009
Call to action to stop preaching and peruse their objectives

5. Realistic? No Creation of a west African caliphate is unrealistic
Have been successful at creating chaos but not at overthrowing the government
Westernization is a relatively unstoppable force