Against the backdrop of the demand that Israel stop the fighting in Gaza during Ramadan (which will begin in mid-March) because it is a sacred month of fasting, it is pertinent to recall that the jihad organizations regard Ramadan not only a month of abstention and worship but also as the month of jihad and martyrdom. According to Muslim tradition, during Ramadan Allah grants the Muslims glorious victories, as exemplified by the fact that the great battles of Islam, such as the Battle of Badr in 624, the conquest of Mecca in 630, the conquest of Andalusia in 711, the battle of Ein Jalut in 1260, and the October 6, 1973 "War of Ramadan" fought by Egypt against Israel, as well as other victories – all occurred during Ramadan. The last night of Ramadan, Laylat Al-Qadr, has been marked over the years by many terrorist attacks.
This religious perception is reflected in sermons and statements by prominent Islamic religious leaders, who stress that Ramadan is the month of jihad, conquest, and victory in Islam, and is also found in schoolbooks for children[1]. It is also reflected in increased military activity by the jihadi and terrorist Islamic movements around the world, which use the religious and spiritual atmosphere of this month, and the legacy of Ramadan battles and victories in Islamic history, to encourage and perpetrate intensive terrorist activity. The spokesmen for these organizations call to increase attacks on the enemy during Ramadan, and emphasize that the commandment to wage jihad is imbued with increased significance during this month, due to the special state of readiness for martyrdom. They stress that attacks during Ramadan have a "special flavor and character,"[2] and some even claim that they earn their perpetrators a greater divine reward.[3] Over the years, MEMRI has published many statements reflecting this perception, from both the Arab media and the mouthpieces and spokespersons of jihadi organizations.
"Ramadan - The Month of Jihad and Victories" (image: Saraya.ps)
The following is a list of these reports:
British Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Preacher Calls For Jihad In India During Ramadan To Defend Indian Muslims, Claims All India Is Muslim Territory And Must Be Retaken - 04/14/22
Ramadan Issue Of Magazine From Pro-Al-Qaeda Jihadi Group Urges Muslims In West To Perpetrate Attacks - 04/03/22
Special Reports - Issue Three Of ISIS Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Stresses The Importance Of Jihad In The Fasting Month Of Ramadan, Urges Muslims To Adopt ISIS Methodology - 04/11/22
Special Dispatch No. 9881 - Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Other Palestinian Groups Threaten Violence During Ramadan – 'The Month Of Jihad And Martyrdom' - 04/06/22
Inquiry & Analysis Series - Evoking Ramadan To Call For Jihad And Victories: Insight Into The Islamic State's Ramadan Messaging - 07/13/21
Special Dispatch No. 9325 - International Union Of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), Funded By Qatar And Turkey, Urges Muslims To Wage Jihad, Sacrifice Their Souls For Al-Aqsa - 05/09/21
Calling For More Attacks, Pro-ISIS Outlet Reminds Muslims: Jihad Is Doubly Rewarded During Ramadan's Last Ten Days - 05/04/21
Special Reports - Pro-ISIS Media Outlet Documents Liquidation Of 'Spies' Of Iraqi Military, PMU, Calls For Jihad During Month Of Ramadan - 03/24/21
Special Reports - Jihadis On Telegram Mark The Approach Of Ramadan With Solicitations For Donations, Promoting Jihad - 03/23/21
Special Dispatch No. 9316 - Article On Al-Jazeera Website: Ramadan, 'Month Of Jihad And Victories,' Is The Season Of Palestinian Armed Operations - 05/03/21
Special Dispatch No. 9881 - Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Other Palestinian Groups Threaten Violence During Ramadan – 'The Month Of Jihad And Martyrdom' - 04/06/22
Special Reports - In Video, Ansar Al-Islam Fighter Encourages Muslims To Wage Jihad During Ramadan, Says It Has Become 'Mandatory Religious Duty' - 05/09/19
Special Reports - Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) Video Nasheed Glorifies Jihad During Ramadan - 05/22/19
Special Dispatch No. 8096 - Egyptian Clerics, Articles: Ramadan Is The Month Of Jihad And Victories - 05/30/19
Special Reports - On The Occasion Of Ramadan, Al-Qaeda In The Islamic Maghrib (AQIM) Calls Upon Palestinians To Turn Jerusalem Into The 'Capital Of Jihad' - 05/17/18
Special Reports - Video From ISIS-Supporters Urges Muslims To Devote Ramadan To Jihad - 05/21/18
Special Reports - Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Runs Ramadan Campaign In Northern Syria To 'Propagate The Spirit Of Jihad' In Locals And Children, Includes Facebook Page And Whatsapp Number - 06/18/18
Special Dispatch No. 6468 - One Day Prior To Tel Aviv Terror Attack, Article On Hamas Website Calls On Muslims To Wage Jihad - 'The Pinnacle Of Islam' - During Ramadan, 'The Month Of Jihad' - 06/09/16
Special Dispatch No. 6085 - Ramadan – The Month Of Spirituality, Devotion, Jihad And Martyrdom - 06/29/15
Special Dispatch No. 6104 - Current And Former Egyptian Muftis: Ramadan Is The Month Of Victories And Conquests - 07/13/15
Special Dispatch No. 6089 - Taliban Online Magazine Celebrates Ramadan As Month Of Jihad And Victory, Calls On Muslims To Fulfill Their Ramadan Duty By Donating Money For Jihad - 07/01/15
Special Reports - ISIS Magazine 'Dabiq' Issue 10: 'This Is Ramadan!... Jihad, Battles And Action' - 07/14/15
Special Dispatch No. 6091 - Hamas, Islamic Jihad Websites: Attacks During Ramadan Have Special Flavor Of Sacrifice, Jihad And Victory - 07/02/15
Special Reports - Taliban Online Magazine Celebrates Ramadan As Month Of Jihad And Victory, Calls On Muslims To Fulfill Their Ramadan Duty By Donating Money For Jihad - 06/30/15
Special Reports - ISIS Video Touts Ramadan As 'Month Of Jihad' - 06/29/15
Inquiry & Analysis Series - New Al-Qaeda-Affiliated English Jihadi Magazine 'Al-Risalah': Jihad Is More Important Than Ramadan Fast - 07/06/15
Special Dispatch No. 4885 - Egyptian Grand Mufti And Muslim Brotherhood General Guide: Ramadan Is The Month Of Jihad And Victories - 08/14/12
Taliban Statement On Jihad In Ramadan: 'Afghan Fighters Dealt A Jaw-Breaking Blow At The Invaders [By Downing A Helicopter That Killed 31 U.S. Soldiers]' - 09/06/11
Pakistan-Based Jihadist Commander: 'Ramadan Is The Month Of Jihad' - 08/01/11
Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 636 - Calls in the Muslim World to Intensify Jihad During Ramadan - 09/13/10
Al-Qaeda's Sahara Branch Releases Video of Ramadan Jihad "Seminar," Including Lectures in French, Portuguese, Fulani, Touareg, and Hausa Languages - 08/24/10
Special Dispatch No. 3275 - Kashmir’s Jihadist Woman Leader Warns India: '[The Ongoing Youth Protests in Kashmir] Might Intensify During Ramadan; Ramadan is the Month of Jihad' - 10/06/10
Pakistani Cleric Urges Muslims To Participate In Jihad During The Holy Month Of Ramadan And Continue To Support The Mujahideen - 08/20/09
Special Dispatch No. 10000 - Al-Qa'ida Website Issues Ramadan Warning of Imminent Attacks: Calls on Muslims in DC, NY, and LA to Leave Those Cities - 06/22/07
Special Dispatch No. 804 - Al-Qa'ida Internet Magazine Sawt Al-Jihad Calls to Intensify Fighting During Ramadan- 'the Month of Jihad' - 10/22/04
No. 290 - Saudi Al-Majd TV Host Hisham Khreisat: Ramadan, the Month of Jihad - 10/17/04
Special Reports No. 24 - Palestinian Authority Sermons 2000-2003 - 12/26/03
Special Dispatch No. 612 - Escalation of Incitement to Violence During the Month of Ramadan - 11/20/03
Special Alerts No. 12 - Al-Qa'ida Website Issues Ramadan Warning of Imminent Attacks: Calls on Muslims in DC, NY, and LA to Leave Those Cities - 11/03/03
Special Dispatch No. 308 - Egyptian Cleric: Ramadan The month of Jihad' - 12/06/01
