The Salafi movement is an ultra-conservative movement within Sunni Islam that developed in Arabia against a background of European colonialism. It advocated returning to the traditions of the ‘devout ancestors’ (the salaf). The movement divides into three categories - the purists who avoid politics; the activists who are involved in politics; and the jihadists. Salafi is synonymous with Wahhabism - see last week’s Prayer Alert article about Switzerland. For months there have been reports of Salafists disguised as aid workers canvassing Europe’s refugee shelters for new recruits from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Some Salafists offer gifts of money, clothing, translation services, or invitations to Salafists’ homes for tea. Bosnia now suffers from Salafi movements which spread there after the Balkan war. They were brought there by Muslim extremist fighters who travelled to Bosnia to fight for the nation. In February the Independent newspaper reported that there are up to 5,000 jihadists, trained abroad, in Europe. See also: