airliner, which represent the latest efforts by the extremist group known as the Islamic State, or ISIS, world powers to terrorize and spread chaos. Those involved in the attacks were part of the ultra-orthodox Salafist movement, an increasing portion in which the principles of Sunni, is interwoven by ISIS to become the inspiration for much of terrorism.According today the National Institute of Strategic Studies, there were about 50 million worldwide Salafist 2009, the most recent year for which data are available. Salafist believe in a fundamentalist approach that emphasizes the literal interpretation of the Koran and the words of the Prophet Muhammad, and support for Sharia law of Islam over every government policies.Salafists generally can be divided into three groups. The smallest consists of jihadists, representing a militant minority - about 250,000 people - but they have a presence known throughout the Middle East, Asia and Europe because of the willingness of combatants to use random attacks on innocent people to draw their attention radical views of Islam and to punish those they see as 'crusaders', those who are very influenced by West.A second, much larger group of Salafist reject violence and generally avoids any policy, considering it is a distraction from their devotion to religion. A third group also significantly greater than the jihadists are not violent, but embraced political activity and has growing influence in certain countries, including Saudi Arabia.Two years ago, photographer Paolo Pellegrin has received extraordinary access to violent Salafists Egypt and documented daily life, traditions and devotion to their religion. We spoke with Pellegrin on what he found, as he opened a window into a culture that few foreigners have experienced.Paolo, you can explain how you started this story? And who is the Egyptian Salafists Pellegrin photographed? At the same time I was kind of worried and intrigued. We all know the extreme forms of radical Salafism, where most extreme forms, make ISIS or other violent jihadist groups. But at the same time I was very interested to learn and understand a deeper sense of Salafism. [I wanted to confront] stereotypes we have in the western world, about who these people really are, what makes them tick. Beyond the common narrative.I fails to connect with different groups, [including] a Salafist group in particular, that the practice [] the purest form of Salafism. It is not primarily political. They believe that politics is something deviation from Islam. It is non-violent, they believe in education, in particular those relating to their practices and beliefs, so that they can cleanse themselves, so they can live their faith.Pellegrin: these Salafist is so devout, their whole life really revolves around the idea of orthodoxy, trying to be as close as possible to the first forms of Islamic practice. They really believe that Islam with its purist form is so wonderful, so beautiful, that ... living in the grace of God.How associated with people of different languages and, in this case, the Pellegrin religions? I was very lucky to meet a young Salafist Abdul Rahman Al Mansurah, the northern part of Egypt. E 'became a kind of guide me into their world. I decided that I was a kind of noble nature of the soul; He also had to choose a Muslim name for me. He was so concerned about the spiritual well-being that has always tried to embrace with my Islam. But the thing is, in a mysterious plane was connected in a way that I have met many times in my life in general, but also in my life as a photographer. It is a relationship that sometimes the photograph has to offer, as gift.One our favorite images of Abdul Rahman praying on the river Nile. Tell us about this moment.Paolo: There is this idea that every action, every moment of the day, all you do is connected with God you know, the philosophy [Baruch] Spinoza .; The idea that God and nature are actually the same thing. Normally at the end of the day, when the sun was setting, Abdul will walk along the river, sometimes could touch the grass or a flower and see demonstrations of God and to pray with fervor as the tension brought tears to of the eye. He was very frank, open and generous, allowing me to be a part of those moments. This was foreign to me, but I could not help but see a beauty in it.Perhaps the most striking image is the mock funeral rite. We were surprised that we were able to photograph this ceremony.Pellegrin: Yes, my guide-translator Egyptian, a religious and a photographer, I could not believe I have stayed at more intimate part of their time for religious practices.So clear, the man that the picture is alive, right Pellegrin; Yes Yes. He is alive. He's very much alive. It's just a symbolic death. The whole process took several days of meditation, concentration, fasting, and reading the Koran. Finally, when she felt ready, she took him to the morgue where his body was washed and then wrapped in a shroud, as is customary. When his body was ready for 'burial' was taken to the cemetery and placed in a tomb. For this part of the ceremony, I could not follow. Why go through a ritual to be treated like one of the dead Pellegrin; With this idea of linking this kind mystical Salafism, to spend the night in the grave to try to connect with the spirits of the dead, their ancestors. [They believe that] if they are able to connect to the other world, they will know how to behave better in this one.I not come to the cemetery to another night, in a crypt. [It was] very dark, and begin reciting this litany of chants as the suras of the Koran. It's so good. Even as I speak gives me goosebumps. Then, after a while 'I heard them become so touched too, began to cry and hug. So it is really quite unique and very, very special.Your time with these Salafi jihadists were made before the recent wave of attacks, but you can get some insight into how they feel these Salafist for their religion, used to justify and perpetuate jihad and violent actions find offensive? Or how to feel seen by some Westerners have things in common with the violent jihadists Pellegrin; They [believe] that is very misunderstood, especially from the West, even at national level. I think it was one of the main reasons that I was given such access. I'm in this constant sense of false declaration, represented as something it is not.
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