(Syed Saqib Ali Shah)
The use
of propaganda in conflicts is nothing revolutionary, however what
differentiates contemporary extremist propaganda from previous forms is the
method of communication. DAISH
has switched away from Dabiq in favor of an easier to read, less theological online
magazine Rumiyah. The issue of its magazine is part of the group’s sophisticated propaganda efforts
to disseminate their message around the world in as many languages as possible
using the internet. With the release of Rumiyah’s second
issue, it is increasingly clear that so-called DAISH’s failed propaganda
efforts have strategically shifted, characterised by two key trends. First, DAISH’s
propaganda machine is under immense pressure evidenced by, for example, the killing of key figures such as Abu Muhammad
Al-Adnani and Wa’il Al-Fayad, the repercussions of which can be seen in lower
rates of propaganda output and the prominence of rehashed material in that
messaging. Second, the key themes in its propaganda have been altered in ways
that reflect both its contracting campaign and the need to recalibrate its
messaging in accordance with declining fortunes on the ground.
It
contains detailed graphic information about carrying out terror attacks
including how to choose victims, how to kill them and when and where to strike.
Some of the articles about slaughtering non-believers referred to as ‘kafir’ or
‘kuffar’ are illustrated with images of beheaded men, weapons and a child with
a gun. The general principles of
Islam when fighting is permitted is clear as Quran states, “Allah forbids you not regarding those who have not
fought against you in religion and expelled you not from your homes, that you
may show favour to them and act justly towards them. Undoubtedly, the just are
loved by Allah”. (Surah Al-Mumtahana:
8). There is no
compulsion in religion; no doubt the virtuous path has become clearly distinct
from the erring; then who so does not accept devil and believes in Allah, he grasped
a very firm knot which is never to open and Allah Hears and Knows. (Surah
Al-Baqara: 256)
In second issue the readers
are offered a discussion on the psychological and practical problems one might
run into before conducting a “just terror attack”. Promoting the knife as the
weapon of choice, the reader is presented concocted religious guidance aimed at
legitimizing the tactic as well as a practical discussion on pros and cons of
different types of knives. Moreover,
this article replaced the term “lone wolf” with “just terror operations”
reflecting the importance of semantics in a propaganda war and the need for DAISH
to frame such actions as inherently legitimate and morally justified as DAISH
has used “just terror” before in Dabiq Issue 12. This
message has further reinforced by the article “Brutality and Severity Towards
the Kuffar” which inundates the reader with examples of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)
and the Sahabah (R.A), punishing their enemies. On the contrary, in Madina the
people of other faiths were protected from harm as much as the Muslims. In the
Muslim society the lives of the practitioners of other religions were also
given protective status. As the Prophet
(PBUH) said, “whoever kills a person who has a truce with the Muslims will
never smell the fragrance of Paradise” (Saheeh Muslim). The actual teachings of
Islam clearly state about infidels that if the government state gives them
shelter, then they have right to enjoy the freedom and follow their religion.
They are bound to pay the taxes which are alternative of zakah.
The
editorial “A message from East Africa” includes instructions for followers to
“hurl themselves into the midst of the battle by attacking the (disbeliever)
nearest to them”. “Let them follow the example of the lions who have preceded
them by striking the crusader citizens and interests wherever they are found in
the West,” it reads. The report attributes jehad with the sunnah as it says
sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was to march forth and wage war against
the enemies of Allah. The report provoking the Muslims to kill those living in
west by saying, those Muslims residing in the west have an opportunity to
terrorize the Crusaders themselves. Therefore, the Prophet (PBUH) was only a
Warner not and enforcer. Quran states that “Say
you, the knowledge of it is with Allah, and I am only a clear Warner”. (Al-Mulk :26). If non-believers live in a
country which is democratic state with specific rules and regulations then they
are entitled to live their life peacefully there and no one has the right to
impose anything else on them. Islam respects the followers of others religion
as Quran asks just to turn away from those who reject the truth, and say
“peace” to them. “And by the saying of
the Messenger, O My Lord, they do not believe. Therefore overlook them and say,
peace: soon they shall l know”. (Az-Zukhraf
:88,89).
To
further reinforce their point, Rumiyah’s architects have DAISH’s
“boom-bust” history to draw upon for inspirational examples of staying true to
the cause in the face of losses. A leader of DAISH’s antecedent, Abu Hamzah
Al-Muhajir’s “Paths to Victory Part 1” argues along these lines not only
stating that “every Muslim must be certain that complete victory is coming” but
asserts that “whoever rejects or doubts that is nothing but one of the
disbelieving fear mongers. According
to the extremist approach of the report, the difference between them and the
non-Muslims is that those of them who accepted Islam received much good, honor,
and glory. And those of them who remained in kufr were afflicted with
humiliation, subservience, and the jizyah. However, Islam is a religion of
peace, in the times of Islamic glory, Muslims and non-Muslims used to live
together in peace and harmony. Quran
states, “Call to the way of your Lord
with wisdom and good admonition and argue with them in a way that is best. No
doubt. Your Lord knows well who has strayed from His way and He knows well
those who are guided”. (An-Nahl :125). There
have come to you the eye opener arguments from your Lord, then whosoever saw
it, then it is for his own good and whosoever became blind, then it is for his
own bad and I am not a guardian over you. (Al-An’am:104).
The
Shuhada from the Gulshan Attack, is an article in which DAISH explains why the
cafe in Dhaka was selected as a target. In the report it is written that after
a careful survey of several potential targets, the Crusader-owned Holey Artisan
Bakery restaurant was selected for this blessed operation because it was well
known for being frequented by the citizens of Crusader countries and other
kafir nations. Whereas, Islam respects the followers of others religion, in
fact when Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) migrated to Medina, he found that there was a
large Jewish community but that did not bother Him. He did not contemplate on
forcing them into the Fold of Islam, instead, he made a peace truce with them
and called them (Ahlul kitab), the people of the Scripture. Diversity of faith and culture is an oft-repeated
theme in the Quran. Allah Almighty’s plan has granted freedom of choice to
humankind, the only justification for ultimate individual accountability, so
always there would be unbelievers intermixed with believers. “And if your Lord
had willed, all those who are in the earth would have believed together. Will
you, then force people until they become Muslims? And no soul has power to
believe but by the leave of Allah. And He lays His torment upon those who have
no wisdom”. (Surah Yunus :99-100).
Rumiyah’s architects
have sought to deploy the strategies of meaning, credibility and behavioural
change that have helped to inspire many in the West to become foreign fighters
or engage in homegrown terrorism. The relentless output of propaganda by DAISH and
its focus on reaching every corner of the globe with its malicious message is a
critical part of the DAISH's tragic strategy. They want to delude Muslims by
controlling the phony narrative of Islam and Jihad and provoking the West into
a backlash against Muslims, thus driving them to look to the DAISH as
protectors. By understanding what they are really saying and what they really
want people will be better equipped to deconstruct their foraged narrative and
ultimately defeat not just DAISH but radical approach in general.
The writer can be contacted at email
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