ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the parallel world of Muslim youth popular culture generates a range of counter-narratives. Against radical Islamism, the counter-discourse of popular culture expresses the ideal of trendy Muslim 'cool', in consumption and neo-tribal choices. In Muslim-majority countries and in the diaspora, Western influences are often regarded by older generations as a great source of danger to susceptible youth. The radical Islamist meta-narrative implies ascetic self-sacrifice to a hard life on earth as a militant or fugitive, and even a martyred early death, with only heavenly rewards to follow. The chapter indicates, religious orthopraxy for Muslim youth in the diaspora would seem to be primarily anchored in the contemporary material and tribal world of youth culture, and not so much in traditional ascetic practices and cultural piety. It has offered a broad gaze over the 'parallel world' of Muslim youth popular culture, including preparation for marriage.
