Salafists are increasingly targeting young women online, using modern social media tactics to spread radical Islamic ideologies. Influencers, posing as religious authorities, attract girls as young as 14 or 15, urging them to adopt strict lifestyles, cover up, obey men, and focus on raising children.
According to investigators, cases of online radicalization are rising, with many victims being persuaded to convert to radical Islam. A secret report highlighted by Bavarian radio revealed that even Catholic girls are being lured into conversion and quickly married off with the intent of producing future “fighters.” The process begins innocuously, addressing everyday topics like relationships, parenting, and fashion, before escalating into ideological indoctrination.
An anonymous former member of the scene explained how influencers with massive followings gain trust. “When you talk a lot about Islam, young girls think you’re a scholar,” they said. However, the commitment is one-sided: “The moment you convert to Islam, you’re dropped.”
Authorities estimate there are 11,500 known Salafists in Germany, illustrating the scale of the problem. A spokesperson for Bavaria’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution emphasized the calculated nature of this strategy: “Women are drawn in by relatable topics, but indoctrination follows soon after.”
The rise of this online radicalization underscores the urgent need for awareness and intervention to protect vulnerable young women from being exploited.
