The devout middle class, which sometimes has the backing of other segments of society, typically tends to be more conservative in its orientation and constitutes the "moderate" Islamist wing. While members of this class share the vision of creating an Islamic state, they prefer to do so under conditions of social stability that advance their economic interests. Urban youth displaced from the middle class due to a lack of opportunity, on the other hand, tend to be open to more confrontational and violent tactics; they constitute the "radical" wing of the Islamist movement. At times these two groups have cooperated with each other; at other times they have gone their separate ways.

DEFINE: Clarifies the socioeconomic cleavage that distinguishes the 'moderate' vs 'radical' wings of Islamist movements.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 346