Screaming and pushing, an aggressive and dangerous attitude. On Afternoon 5, the images of the so-called “saint of Salento“, the 40-year-old Kadir Bouasrya, are broadcast, accused of being the head of an alleged sect in Miggiano, Puglia, after being denounced by the parents of some of his followers for private violence. For days, press and TV reporters have been in the area to understand how things are, and today the man lost his temper by attacking two correspondents from Rai and Mediaset, the journalists Francesca Pizzolante (Pomeriggio 5) and Barbara Di Palma (La vita in direct).
The two reporters were trying to convince the man to allow doctors to visit two followers who live with him, who are said to be suffering from anemia to follow the rules of “purification of the soul” such as prolonged fasting. “Can you hear us or are you hard of hearing? You are playing with fire”, shouts the man who left the house, who also tries to snatch the microphone from Di Palma’s hands. “”Clowns, liars, manipulators of lives and minds. Woe to anyone who continues to persecute me, I will kill him here in front of everyone”, says the man, visibly altered in front of the cameras.
“You better leave”
The holy man of Salento Kadir against journalists#Afternoon5 pic.twitter.com/goC9VaWnO5
— Afternoon 5 (@pomeriggio5) October 10, 2024
#saint #man #Salento #attacks #female #journalists #Tempo
The recent news about the alleged sect in Miggiano, Puglia, led by the 40-year-old Kadir Bouasrya, has sparked outrage and concern among the local community. Bouasrya, dubbed the “saint of Salento,” has been accused of leading a group with aggressive and dangerous tendencies.
While details about the alleged sect are still emerging, the situation echoes broader trends of Islamist and Sufi groups in North Africa and the Arab world. For instance, research by scholars focusing on Islamist politics and armed conflict in regions like Libya and the Gulf has shed light on the complexities of social and political dynamics within these groups [[2]].
Moreover, studies on Sufis and Salafis have highlighted the often-complex relationships between different Islamist groups, as well as their responses to external stimuli [[3]]. Bouasrya’s alleged sect might reflect similar underlying dynamics.
However, in this particular case, it appears that Kadir Bouasrya has been accused by parents of his followers of promoting an aggressive and controlling attitude. This not only reflects poorly on Bouasrya but also brings into question the manipulation and coercion within such alleged sects.
From a broader perspective, this case shares similarities with studies on Islamic institutions and their social influence. The situation also raises questions about the co-option and control mechanisms that certain Islamist or Sufi groups exercise over their members.
Researchers in this field note the role that social dynamics play in shaping communication patterns within communities [[1]]. This can also suggest that we should delve deeper into the roles that figures like Kadir Bouasrya play in manipulating or conditioning social behavior within their alleged sects.
Therefore, while more research is required to make concrete conclusions, the present condition reflects on the perceived rise in the existence and manipulation by alleged Islamic sects.
