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The latest issue of the "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by Al-Azaim Media Foundation, a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), has an interview of a French jihadi fighter, identified as Abu Khattab, radicalized in a prison in France.
The interview, originally broadcast by Radio Al-Bayan of the Islamic State (ISIS), is produced as Part Three of a continuing series by the magazine. The series is titled "Stories of the Mobilization of the Soldiers of the Islamic State – 3."
In the interview, Abu Khattab discusses how he was radicalized in a French prison and later travelled to the Islamic State.
The interview appears in Issue 41 of the magazine, which is dated Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1446, in the Hijri calendar, which corresponds with the lunar month beginning November 4, 2024.[1]
In Prison In France, The Fighter "Learned The Creed (Aqidah) From The Brothers Who Were Inside And Who Had Denounced The Tawagheet [Tyrants] And Held The Doctrine Of Al-Wala Wal-Bara (Loyalty And Disavowal)"
"Dear brother, what is your story of joining jihad?
"In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
"As for what follows: When I was living in France, though I prayed and fasted, I belonged to a Murjiah sect [who believed in postponing judgment against erring believers] that did not make takfir [the practice of declaring a particular Muslim to be an unbeliever] on the tawagheet [tyrants] or talk about jihad. Then, I went to prison, which I found to be a great blessing for me. There, I learned the creed (aqidah) from the brothers who were inside and who had denounced the tawagheet and held the doctrine of al-Wala wal-Bara (loyalty and disavowal).
"Among the brothers who were with me, some of them surpassed me in making hijra [migration] to the land of jihad and were martyred in Ain al-Islam (Kobani/Ain al-Arab). This motivated me to make hijrah to the land of Islam and fight in the way of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation.
"What difficulties did you face in the first days of joining the mujahideen of the Islamic State?
"Well, my brother, whoever among the Muslims prays to Allah, Allah answers his prayer, and I prayed often to Allah to make my way easier when I was first going out for jihad. All praise is due to Allah, it took me 2 days to make hijrah from France to the Islamic State.
"By the grace of Allah, I did not face any major difficulties on the way, and Allah made the path easy for me. I say to my brothers in the lands of kufr [unbelief] and want to make hijrah, pray to Allah often, and Allah almighty will make it easy for whomever he wills.
"Can you tell us about your experiences during the military and shari'a training courses?
"I saw a lot of muhajir [i.e., foreign fighter] and ansar[2] brothers from all over the world, from the Arabian Peninsula, the United States, Europe, and the Far East; brothers came from all over the world. We benefited from the shari'a training courses in many areas, especially in creed and al-Wala wal-Bara. On the military side, we received strong preparation, and we completed our training ready for war with gained experience, and all praise is due to Allah."
"In The Midst Of That Fierce Battle, You Feel That Your Heart Is Filled With Peace And That Allah Has Bestowed On You Calmness"
"How long have you been in the land of jihad?
"I have been in the land of jihad since 1435 Hijri (2013 CE), and all praise is due to Allah.
"Is there anything you would like to tell us about what you experienced in terms of faith in the battles you participated in?
"All praise is due to Allah, our brothers put their trust in Allah, they remember Allah a lot, and they know that everything in the sky and on the ground belongs to Allah and everything will return to him. In turn, Allah almighty sends down on them perseverance and serenity.
"In the midst of that fierce battle, you feel that your heart is filled with peace and that Allah has bestowed on you calmness.
"How do you feel now in the land of the Khilafah [caliphate]?
"All praise is due to Allah, we see that the shari'a of Allah is being enforced, virtue is being ordered, and evil is being prevented. All praise is due to Allah, we are very happy in the land of the Khilafah.
"What advice would you give to the mujahideen of the Islamic State?
"My advice to my brothers is to be steadfast in the service of Allah, to be pious toward Allah, and to hold tightly to the firing lines.
"Finally, what advice would you give to our listeners?
"I tell them that you see that 65 kufr [unbelief] countries are united and fighting against the Muslims. And this is only because we want to establish the shari'a of Allah. This path is better for you than the whole world and all that is in it, so stand up, give bay'ah [an oath of allegiance, in this context, to an ISIS leader], and fight for your religion."
[1] Archive.org, November 19, 2024. The original English of the article has been lightly edited for clarity and standardization.
[2] The ansar were the seventh-century local residents of Medina who, according to Islam, hosted Muhammad and his followers in their homes when they emigrated from Mecca. In this context, the fighter is likely referring to ISIS fighters native to the area to which he had travelled.
