The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
On March 17, 2023, the pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Sarh Al-Khilafah Foundation released a poster titled "Soldiers of the Taghout [literally "false deity," a reference to rulers who govern by manmade law] in the Media."[1] The poster declares that the mainstream media is at war with Islam and therefore attacks on journalists are justified as a form of jihad.
The poster's text declares that for years, the "media of human devils" has been a means of "invading Muslim minds" and instilling in them "false claims and desires that corrupt hearts and make them ill." These immoral desires are promoted under the guise of "entertainment," while "sheikhs of misguidance" legitimize the rule of taghouts on the pretext of "preaching and guidance." Unlike the rulers who are excused for their violations of Islam, the media uses a "magnifying glass" to enlarge the mujahideen's faults, writing letters and holding public gatherings to discuss them.
According to the poster, this situation is a fulfillment of the hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad prophesied: "Deceptive years will come upon the people, when the liar will be believed, the one who tells the truth will be called a liar, the traitor will be trusted, the trustworthy one will be considered unfaithful, and the contemptible man will speak about public affairs."
The text continues: "Therefore, targeting these soldiers of the taghout in the media is jihad to elevate Allah's word, because they are his partners in misguiding the people and enslaving them to someone other than their Creator."
The poster was released a few days after the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed killing several journalists, among other victims, in a bombing targeting employees of news agencies that "were involved in the war and incitement against the Islamic State."[2]
[1] Telegram, March 17, 2023.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) Claims IED Detonation, Dozens Of Casualties, At Shi'ite Center In Northern Afghanistan, March 13, 2023.
The full text of this post is available to subscribers.
Please login or register to request subscription information from MEMRI
