ISIS Releases Video Showing Destruction of Ancient Monastery in Syria

On September 8, 2015, the media bureau of the Damascus Province of ISIS released a video showing the destruction of the Mar Elian monastery in the town of Al-Qaryatayn, Syria, which took place last month. In the video, which was posted on Shumoukh Al-Islam, an ISIS-affiliated online forum, the group described the Mar Elian monastery as a place of worship of gods other than Allah.

Following are excerpts:

Title: "The Media Bureau of Damascus Province"

Title: "Destruction of the Polytheistic Temple in the Town of Al-Qaryatayn."

Title: "Monastery of Mar Elian Al-Sheikh, the eastern monastery in the town of Al-Qaryatayn, where polytheistic worship is taking place."

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ISIS member: Praise be Allah who enabled us and enables us every day to implement His laws, to bring His slaves back to His religion, and to put in order anything that violates His laws – be it a human being, a rock, or anything else. Praised be Allah, who made it possible for us to become a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood, and made us His loyal servants, who follow His orders.

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Praised be Allah, who made it possible for your brothers in Damascus Province to destroy these idols and graves, which were worshipped besides Allah.

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Praised be Allah for using us in order to elevate His shari'a. Praised be Allah, who made us His loyal servans, His representatives on Earth. Allah willing, the East and the West will know that we will never be stopped from implementing the laws of our religion, as the Prophet ordered us to do.

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This is the beginning of the victory. Allah willing, we will come to your own land and destroy your thrones. Allah wiling, on this Earth, which is the land of Allah, only two kinds of people will remain: Muslims and people who accept the rule of Islam.

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