New Ānashīd from The Islamic State: "Remaining, Remaining – Wilāyat Khurāsān," "Thankfully, The Islamic State Is Established – Wilāyat Khurāsān," and "Brotherhood of the Caliphate – Wilāyat Khurāsān"

New video message from al-Qā’idah in the Islamic Maghrib: "Adoption of the Kidnapping of the Australian Eliot Arthur Kenneth and the Release of His Wife Joséphine Kenneth"

Jihadology Podcast: al-Qaeda's Franchising Strategy

Barak Mendelsohn comes on the show to discuss his new book, The al-Qaeda Franchise: The Expansion of al-Qaeda and Its Consequences. Some of the topics covered include:

  • How organizations expand
  • Why AQ decided to branch out and the strategy behind that decision
  • AQ’s choices on where to expand
  • Case studies on AQ’s different branches


Links

Thanks to Haakon Jahr, TankThoughts, and Raihan Kadir for supporting the show! If you’d like to support the podcast please check out the show’s Patreon page!
The podcast is produced by Karl Morand. If you have feedback you can email [email protected], or find us on Twitter: @JihadPod.
You can subscribe to the show in iTunes, Stitcher, or with our RSS feed.
Download this episode (51MB mp3)

Jihadology Podcast: Americans in the Islamic State

Lorenzo Vidino and Seamus Hughes come on the show to talk about their new report ISIS in America: From Retweets to Raqqa. Some of the topics covered include:

  • Background on the American jihadi scene
  • The demographics of Americans who’ve traveled to join the Islamic State
  • The three roles American Islamic State supporters play on social media


Links:

Thanks to Haakon Jahr, Praecast, Raihan Kadir, and Kaspars Gasuns for supporting the show. You can support the podcast, and get some great rewards, by checking out the show’s Patreon page!
The podcast is produced by Karl Morand. If you have feedback you can email [email protected], or find us on Twitter: @JihadPod.
You can subscribe to the show in iTunes, Stitcher, or with our RSS feed.
Download this episode (18MB mp3)

Jihadology Podcast: The History, Legacy, and Relevance of Algerian Jihadism Today

Dalia Ghanem-Yazbeck comes on the show to talk about jihadism in Algeria. Some of the topics covered include:

  • Background and history of jihadism in Algeria
  • The growth of GIA networks in Europe and its legacy
  • Why there haven’t been many Algerian foreign fighters in Syria
  • Similarities and differences between the GIA and the Islamic State
  • The current status of jihadism in Algeria and Algerian jihadists abroad


The interview starts at the 34:00 minute mark. Prior to the interview we have a Primary Sources segment covering postings from October 15 – November 23. After the interview we have an updated #Social Media segment covering postings from November 21-29.
Links:

Thanks to Raihan Kadir and Haakon Jahr for supporting the show. If you’d like to support the podcast, and get some cool rewards, check out the show’s Patreon page.
The podcast is produced by Karl Morand. If you have feedback you can email [email protected], or find us on Twitter: @JihadPod.
You can subscribe to the show in iTunes, Stitcher, or with our RSS feed.
Download this episode (60MB mp3)

The Islamic State on Refugees Leaving Syria

UPDATE: Here’s a longer form argument of the below post that I developed more over the past day.

For those who want to blame the attacks on Paris on refugees, you might want to get your facts straight. The reality is, The Islamic State (IS) loathes that individuals are fleeing Syria for Europe. It undermines IS’ message that its self-styled Caliphate is a refuge, because if it was, individuals would actually go there in droves since it’s so close instead of 100,000s of people risking their lives through arduous journeys that could lead to death en route to Europe.
Here are descriptions of the messaging that IS put out on refugees in mid-September. There is no sign that Syrians in any appreciable number have heeded IS’ calls.
September 16: The Islamic State: “Would You Exchange What Is Better For What Is Less? – Wilāyat Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn”
This video addresses the issue of those leaving the Islamic State for the lands of the infidel – i.e. refugees fleeing to Europe. An Islamic State speaker explains how it is correct for Muslims to leave the lands of the infidel for the lands of Islam, but not vice versa: Muslims should seek to live in a land where the shari’ah is enforced. Speakers warn that the ‘Jews and Christians’ do not have their interests at heart, and will force them to convert in order to remain in their countries. They cite issues such as the restrictions against hijab and niqab in European countries such as France. They assert that the Islamic State will remain strong despite those leaving. They will find happiness only in the land of the caliphate.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/16/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-would-you-exchange-what-is-better-for-what-is-less-wilayat-%e1%b9%a3ala%e1%b8%a5-al-din/
September 16: The Islamic State: “Warning To the Refugees From the Deceptions of the Crusaders – Wilāyat al-Janūb”
A speaker discusses how the reason for the war between Islamic State and the infidels in based solely on religion. He makes this the basis for his argument that Muslims cannot live in non-Muslims lands or seek refuge in infidel lands: such people can be considered to have abandoned their religion.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/16/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-warning-to-the-refugees-from-the-deceptions-of-the-crusaders-wilayat-al-janub/
September 16: The Islamic State: “To [Those That] Abandoned the [Refugee] Camps – Wilāyat al-Khayr”
The video opens with a historical section discussing the flight of Muhammad to Yathrib in order to found the Prophetic ‘state’, even though he had to leave his home. This is compared to refugees leaving the Islamic State for Europe. The narrator laments those escaping only to find themselves living under the unjust rule of Europe, or perishing in the sea. There are several news clips about the harsh treatment that refugees have faced in Europe. A speaker then discusses how Muslims should not mix or fraternise with infidels, and various members of the public are shown expressing their surprise at those who leave for Europe. They ask what they are hoping to find there: will they even be able to worship in mosques? The video suggests they will be forced to convert to Christianity, in exchange for money or citizenship. Interviewees warn others of the treatment they will face, and ask them to remain in the Islamic State: those who leave will be forfeiting their reward in paradise.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/16/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-to-those-that-abandoned-the-refugee-camps-wilayat-al-khayr/
The Islamic State: “A Message To the Refugees of the Abode of Infidelity – Wilāyat Ḥaḍramawt”
A speaker addresses those fleeing to Europe, asking why they are leaving the paradise that they have been given, only to submit themselves to the rule of Europeans and the humiliation of living in Europe. He cites Qur’anic verses about the necessity of leaving the lands of the infidel and traveling to the lands of Islam, and other verses and hadith about the prohibition on mixing with infidels. He asks Muslims to imagine what their lives would be like if they went to Europe: exposing themselves to the dangers of drowning and people-smugglers, and then if they arrived in Europe, being subject to injustice and outrage there.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/16/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-a-message-to-the-refugees-of-the-abode-of-infidelity-wilayat-%e1%b8%a5a%e1%b8%8dramawt/
September 17: The Islamic State: “Muslim Asylum Seekers to the Abode of the Disbelievers – Wilāyat Ḥimṣ”
Opening with news clips of refugees in the Mediterranean, this video then cuts to a speaker who discusses the imperative to remain within the lands of Islam. He talks about the threat of conversion, and video clips are shown of Christian religious materials which were supposedly distributed in Syrian refugee camps. Another interviewee describes how Islamic State has cared for refugees from the Syrian regime.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/17/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-muslim-asylum-seekers-to-the-abode-of-the-disbelievers-wilayat-%e1%b8%a5im%e1%b9%a3/
September 17: The Islamic State: “Messages from the Muslims to the Displaced Peoples [Going] to the Abodes of the Unbelievers – Wilāyat al-Furāt”
This video consists mainly of a sermon about those fleeing the Islamic State, arguing that it is not legitimate migration as it involves Muslims traveling to lands of the unbelievers which are subject to human laws rather than the shari’ah. Those who make the journey are debasing their honour. The preacher further argues that Europe is accepting Muslim refugees as a tactic to increase the Shia, Druze, and Christian population of Syria, and thus defeat Islamic State. There are then several interviews with two ‘ordinary Muslims’ wearing medical scrubs. They offer ‘advice’ to those fleeing: they are going abroad only to be ruled by tyrants, and everything they need is provided in the Islamic State. There is then an interview with a refugee who fled al-Qaraytayn for Islamic State, who explains that he fled to Islamic State because dignity and the shari’ah are preserved there, and advises other refugees to do the same.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/17/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-messages-from-the-muslims-to-the-displaced-peoples-going-to-the-abodes-of-the-unbelievers-wilayat-al-furat/
September 17: The Islamic State: “Alert of the Unsuspecting From the Immigrants to the Abodes of the Unbelievers – Wilāyat al-Fallūjah”
This video opens with news clips of drowned and struggling refugees in the Mediterranean, refugees being beaten and chased by police, and so on. It then shows a series of interviews with people who express their disbelief that people would choose to travel to Europe, when European countries make war on Muslims and try to convert them. Muslims can only know true happiness and dignity in Muslims countries: they compare the refugees to those coming to the Islamic State from all over the world. Some cite a Prophetic hadith about eschewing those who mix with unbelievers.
https://jihadology.net/2015/09/17/new-video-message-from-the-islamic-state-alert-of-the-unsuspecting-from-the-immigrants-to-the-abodes-of-the-unbelievers-wilayat-al-fallujah/
September 17: The Islamic State: “Advice to the Refugees [Going] To the Countries of Disbelief – Wilāyat al-Barakah”
This video also begins with news clips of refugees and then moves on to interviews with people offering ‘advice’. Some discuss the probable motives for European countries in opening their doors to refugees, arguing that it serves only their interests by weakening Islam and forcing Muslims to work for their interests. They describe life in the Islamic State favorably and wonder why anyone would want to leave, and urge those who have left to return. An Indonesian fighter describes how they will not escape death, because ‘death will follow them wherever they go’.

New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: "Message of Condolence Concerning the Passing Away of a Renowned Scholar of the Islamic World, Mawlānā Dr. Shir 'Alī Shāh"

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It has been learnt with deep sadness that a great custodian of Islamic sciences, Sheikhul Quran wal Hadith, teacher to thousands of students of knowledge and a profound supporter of Mujahideen, Hazrat Mawlana Dr. Sher Ali Shah (may Allah have mercy on him) has passed away from this transient world to the everlasting realm, surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.
The passing away of Sheikh Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) is a great incorrigible loss for the Muslims of the Islamic world generally and for the fields of Knowledge, Preaching and Jihad specifically.
The late Sheikh Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) did not merely consider chairing the teachings of Quran and Prophetic Ahadith, preaching, supporting Jihad and reform as his religious duty throughout his entire blessed life but he also rendered unparalleled services in all of these fields. And the Almighty Allah similarly bestowed upon him a great knowledgeable status throughout the region.
The late Sheikh Sahib was a staunch backer of the both great Jihads of Afghanistan and had defended and supported the Jihadi claim of the Afghan Mujahid nation from the initial years of the Islamic Emirate.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan shares in this great grief of parting away of the late Sheikh Sahib alongside his family, Islamic world’s centers of knowledge, respected scholars, late Sheikh Sahib’s students and especially with heads, teachers and students of prestigious center of knowledge ‘Darul Uloom Haqqania’ as well as with all the Muslim masses of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also extends its heartfelt condolences to all the mentioned sides on this occasion of the passing away of Sheikh Sahib.
May the Almighty Allah accept all the services of the late Sheikh Sahib in His court and grant him Jannatul Firdous (Highest Paradise), Ameen.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
16/01/1437 Hijri Lunar
30/10/2015 Gregorian
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