Reaching out to the world
What makes Islamic State unique from other militant organisations is its ability to use modern technology effectively for promoting its mission. Dabiq is the official magazine of Islamic State, which is effectively spreading its call for the Muslim unity against evil.
The Islamic State is showing great capabilities in the cyber world, boasting technologists and computer experts to run its campaign. For its mission abroad, the media plays a significant role in not only attracting the youth from all parts of the world, but also disseminating its cause and justifying it. It runs two media centres – al-Furqan Media Foundation and al-Hayat Media Centre. The former is responsible for the production and dissemination of videos, while the latter deals with distributing audio messages and newsletters about the organisation. And its circulars, newsletters and magazines are easily available on the Internet.
The fifth issue of Dabiq was released a few days back, targeting western and Arab youth to fight for the organisation in a brotherly spirit – all are brothers under the Caliphate’s banner. What is unique about this magazine is that it is readily available in different languages and can be easily downloaded from the Internet.
The latest issue of Dabiq, it seems, is aimed at inviting the people for the mission. After reading the first few lines, one can understand the inherent fear among the group of losing the fighters because of recent failures on the ground
The latest issue of Dabiq, it seems, is aimed at inviting the people for the mission. After reading the first few lines, one can understand the inherent fear among the group of losing the fighters because of recent failures on the ground. In October, it lost the control of Baiji, which comes with the largest oil refinery. Also, it lost Jalula and Sadia in the province of Diala. Iraqi forces also managed to get back the control of Hit, Anbar and Huz. The strategic losses suffered by IS explains much about its shift in the online strategy from disseminating videos of beheadings to the “call to arms”.
Secondly, the issue focuses on boosting the morale of the fighters by emphasising on the duty of every “mujahid” to show patience and stand firm in the face of fitnah. Very cleverly, it has used the events from the life of the Prophet Yahya ibn Zakria (AS) as an example for morale-boosting. According to the magazine, the words of the prophet outraged the king of the children of Israel, who killed him. And the prophet braved his fears and doubts to fulfil his mission. So, like the Prophet Yahya (AS), the “mujahid” must brave his fears, fight them and be steadfast because Allah is on his side. Furthermore, it is a test from Allah whether followers continue the jihad or tie themselves in the chains of fear. Islamic history is used to guide the fighters for the future, though the events are misinterpreted.
Also, the magazine shows its success by giving evidences, including photos. It says that more than thirty Kurdish villages stand united under the caliphate’s banner in Aleppo, and despite the bombardments by the “Murtaddin”, the steadfastness and patience of IS has broken their lines of defence and brought the cities under the Caliphate.
From the magazine, we can also infer its objective of advancing and expanding towards Makkah. The cover photo of Kaába is a powerful sign chosen by IS to inspire the Muslims and has shown its aspirations to unite all the Muslims under its banner.
From the magazine, we can also infer its objective of advancing and expanding towards Makkah. The cover photo of Kaába is a powerful sign chosen by IS to inspire the Muslims and has shown its aspirations to unite all the Muslims under its banner
Dabiq also tells us about the strong IS presence in different countries of the world. In the publication, it is written that the IS has a strong presence in Saudi Arabia – the final destination symbolising its motto: ‘One God, One Kingdom and One Khalifa’. Also, it has a strong holds in Yemen, Sinai, Libya and Algeria in the Arab world. Interestingly, it has explained Yemen as the land of wisdom and faith; Sinai as the land where Allah spoke to Prophet Musa and land leading towards the liberation of Jerusalem. The success of the IS can be gauged from the fact that it has also inspired the non-Arab speaking population, like Numan Haider, who attacked in Australia and Michael Zehaf-Bibeau and Martin Couture-Roueau in Canada.
The most interesting part about the publication is the IS establishment of the monetary system – rolling out its own currency. In order to make its claim strong, it has imprinted the symbols of IS’s territorial claims and map of the world on both sides of the gold coin. Also, the grains are imprinted symbolising the Islamic system of Zakat. The silver dirham, in which a spear and a shield are imprinted, symbolises the Muslim duty of Jihad. The copper coins feature a date palm tree, reflecting the characteristic of faith and patience in the Muslim. Even if the currency is symbolic as it is a way of telling the world that they stand independent and have a right for ‘recognition’ by other states. IS has dismissed the International economic structure based on the dollar and interest based economy. It has its own anthem, flag, borders and a currency, making it legitimate for recognition.
So, Dabiq is a detailed virtual magazine, providing information about the organisation and its duty to fight Jihad against heretics, Christians, Jews, and other “fitnahs”. In the next issue, it might come up with some more details about its caliphate, institutions and the justification for existence. Collective efforts are needed to censure the circulation through the virtual technologies.
