{"id":21117,"date":"2014-07-06T12:44:31","date_gmt":"2014-07-06T16:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/?p=21117"},"modified":"2015-05-24T04:20:56","modified_gmt":"2015-05-24T08:20:56","slug":"five-words-need-know-establish-caliphate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/five-words-need-know-establish-caliphate\/","title":{"rendered":"The Six Words You Need to Know to Be a Successful Jihadi and Establish Your Own Caliphate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>by <strong>Mohammad D<\/strong> for Syria Comment<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the newly minted caliph of the \u201cIslamic State,\u201d chose the first Friday of Ramadan to make his first public appearance\u2014ever. Until now he has worked outside the limelight, and the almost complete absence of his image in public media had generated a sense of mystique around his persona. Now, he has given a public sermon and led prayers at an impressive mosque in Mosul, available in the below video:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0PjTSKOMpGk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Shortly prior, the Islamic State (formerly ISIS, now simply IS), had <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/cAWCSDkrzLs\" target=\"_blank\">declared through its spokesperson Abu Muhammad al-&#8216;Adnani<\/a> that it was establishing a <strong>khilafa<\/strong> (\u201ccaliphate\u201d) in the land it controls in Syrian and Iraqi territory, over which the ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was to be the <strong>khalifa<\/strong> (????? ???? ?? ?????, \u201ccaliph\u201d). Muslims have now been asked to swear allegiance to this new <em>khilafa<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>This comes at the chagrin of many other jihadis who had hoped to beat him to it, who had previously tried and failed, or who had a more \u201cright\u201d approach to doing so. No matter: now that we all know it\u2019s doable, perhaps you\u2019d also like to try your hand at the caliphate game? Here\u2019s a handy manual of the primary words to keep ever upon your tongue as you move through the stages of establishing your own caliphate\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Every jihadi speech contains key words that sum up their purpose and express their objectives.\u00a0 The concepts behind these terms constitute the building blocks for the establishment of <em>khilafa <\/em>and can help explain the recent rise of ISIS\/IS and al-Baghdadi.<\/p>\n<p>The following 6 terms correspond to consecutive stages integral to actualizing the jihadi goal and reveal much about the beliefs that motivate jihadis.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>1 <\/strong><strong>\u2013<\/strong><strong> al-Taqwa <\/strong><strong>??????<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Al-taqwa simply means performing what Allah has ordered of you.\u00a0 It is to obey Allah&#8217;s wishes as well as to fear him.\u00a0 \u201c<em>Ittaqi Allah<\/em>,\u201d a widely used phrase, means <em>fear Allah and obey his wishes<\/em>.\u00a0 This readiness to follow Allah\u2019s will is an important stage of being that you must reach before embarking on your mission.\u00a0 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in almost all of his speeches, asks the Muslims to be <em>muttaqiin<\/em> and to <em>yattaqu Allah<\/em>, both of which mean to do what Allah has set forth in the Qur&#8217;an.<\/p>\n<p>In his speech, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi first quoted from the Qur\u2019an\u2019s sura \u201c\u2018Umran,\u201d verse 102:<\/p>\n<p>??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????<\/p>\n<p>\u201cO you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Al-Baghdadi then quotes the sura \u201cal-Ahzab\u201d verses 70-71:<\/p>\n<p>?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????<\/p>\n<p>\u201cO you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.\u00a0He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the second part of his speech, al-Baghdadi told his audience that to <em>yataqqu Allah<\/em> and begin jihad for his sake is necessary whether they want security, work, or an honorable living.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>2 <\/strong><strong>\u2013<\/strong> <strong>al-Nafeer\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>??????<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Al-nafeer<\/em> means, in the jihadi context, mobilization to join the battle.\u00a0 It is the initial step: the switch from life as a civilian citizen of a certain nation-state to the role of a <em>mujahid <\/em>who obeys a new set of specific rules.\u00a0 The term is drawn from many Qur&#8217;anic verses that mention <em>al-nafeer<\/em>.\u00a0 Anytime a jihadi wants to recruit someone, he invokes <em>al-nafeer <\/em>and, of course, the related verses in the Qur&#8217;an.\u00a0 Also, it is used anytime someone wants to collect money for Jihad.<\/p>\n<p><em>Al-Nafeer<\/em> connotes having left everything, making the decision to join the fight, ready to die.\u00a0 The derived verb is <strong>nafara\u00a0<\/strong><strong>???<\/strong>(past tense) or <strong>yanfuru<\/strong> <strong>????<\/strong>(present tense).\u00a0 When someone <em>Yanfur ila Sahat al-Ma&#8217;raka <\/em>(<em>????<\/em><em>??? ???? ???????<\/em>), it means he is ready to die, and is expecting to die with a &#8220;guarantee&#8221; for a better existence in the afterlife. When a person decides to <em>yanfur<\/em> (join the fight), jihadists say that he is allowed to disobey his parents and the authorities and is no longer beholden to any laws but those of Islam (and, of course, his sect&#8217;s interpretation of Islam).\u00a0 The governments that are fighting the mobilization of their kids for jihad raise this issue frequently, featuring the arguments of religious scholars who oppose the jihadist interpretation.<\/p>\n<p>Of Qur\u2019anic verses mentioning <em>al-nafeer<\/em>, three are most significant. These verses are loaded with interpretive meaning, and much has been written about them. It is common to hear them referred to in speeches, tweets, sermons, and so forth.<\/p>\n<p>a) ????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????? ??????????????? ????????????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: \u201cGo forth, whether light or heavy, and perform jihad with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew\u201d (Qur\u2019an 9:41).<\/p>\n<p>In this verse Allah is ordering the Muslims to conduct <em>al-nafeer<\/em>, light or heavy.\u00a0 \u201cLight\u201d means you leave your home with nothing.\u00a0 \u201cHeavy\u201d means you leave your country for the land of jihad with money, equipment, etc.\u00a0 The verse then issues the command to join al-jihad with your money and yourself.\u00a0 Here, in common interpretations, those who cannot go make jihad physically are charged to fundraise on behalf of those who can.\u00a0 The belief is that if you prepare a person for jihad (i.e. finance his preparedness for battle), you will be considered as though you have gone to wage jihad yourself.<\/p>\n<p>b) ??? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????????????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????????? ???? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?????? ???????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: \u201cO you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth [derived imperative of <em>nafeer<\/em>] in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the hereafter except a [very] little\u201d (Qur\u2019an 9:38).<\/p>\n<p>This verse is used to admonish those considered lazy, who prefer the contentment of their normal lives over making jihad, neglecting to appreciate the magnitude of the afterlife.\u00a0 (Of course, the afterlife of he who joins jihad is Paradise.)<\/p>\n<p>c) ?????? ?????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ????????? ????? ????? ?????? ???????<\/p>\n<p>Translation:\u00a0 \u201cIf you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allah is over all things competent\u201d (Qur\u2019an 9:39).<\/p>\n<p>In this verse Allah says that if you do not do mobilize (derived verbal form from <em>nafeer<\/em>) you are going to be tortured severely, and you and your people are going to be substituted by others by Allah, the one able to do anything.<\/p>\n<p>In his speech, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi underscored the importance of joining Jihad, because, according to him, Allah had ordered it so that Islam could be established.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a link to a video in which a Tunisian fighter explains the importance of <em>nafeer<\/em> and calls people to do <em>nafeer<\/em> &#8220;light&#8221; or &#8220;heavy:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LuVtH6tI3kE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>3 \u2013 al-Ribaat <\/strong><strong>??????<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For jihadis, <em>al-Ribaat<\/em> refers to the time spent at the battlefront.\u00a0 <em>Ard al-Ribaat<\/em> ??? ?????? means the land where the battle occurs or is about to take place, against the enemy.\u00a0 The verb <em>raabata<\/em> ???? (past tense) or <em>yuraabitu<\/em>\u00a0????? (present tense) means to spend time in the trenches.\u00a0 The concept is highly revered among Muslims, especially by jihadis.\u00a0 The frontlines are also sometimes referred to as <em>al-thughur<\/em> ??????.\u00a0 Keep in mind that all of these words are rarely used in everyday language and have vastly different meanings when used in the modern era.<\/p>\n<p><em>Al-Ribaat<\/em> is mentioned in the Qur\u2019an:<\/p>\n<p>??? ???????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ??????????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????? ??????????? ???????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: \u201cO you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful\u201d (Qur\u2019an 3:200).<\/p>\n<p>And in the hadith we find emphasis on rewards for those who observe <em>ribaat<\/em>:<\/p>\n<p>a) ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;Observing <em>ribaat<\/em> for a single day is far better than the world and all that it contains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>b) ???? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??????<\/p>\n<p>Translation:\u00a0 \u201cObserving <em>ribaat<\/em> in the way of Allah is far better than fasting in the month of Ramadan and all the nighttime worship activities that are associated with that month.\u00a0 And, if one dies while observing <em>ribaat<\/em> he will go on receiving his reward for his meritorious deeds perpetually and he will be saved from calamities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>c) ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: \u201cObserving a day of <em>ribaat<\/em> for the sake of Allah is better than a thousand days in any other place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>d)?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???????? ????? ?? ???? ?????<\/p>\n<p>In this Hadith we see that whoever does <em>ribaat<\/em> for the sake of Allah is exempted from the calamities that happen between death and judgment day (special \u201ctortures of the grave\u201d exacted by Allah on the sinful while still in their graves, prior to the judgment).<\/p>\n<p>Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi regularly speaks of <em>ribaat<\/em>, though in his speech he only alluded to it without using the word. In the following video, a missionary of jihad mentions more hadith about al-Ribaat:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1WokvIRSkcc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>4 \u2013 al-Thabaat\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>??????<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Al-thabaat<\/em> means steadfastness, or to be able to hold your lines in the fight.\u00a0 It also means to stick to your beliefs, and in this case, your decision to fight.\u00a0 It is the ability to stay put in the face of adversity in the &#8220;arenas of jihad.&#8221;\u00a0 In their speeches, many jihadis call for the strength to stay true to the goal.\u00a0 Many historical references are made in conjunction with this term, most importantly to events from the days of the Prophet Mohammad, such as the battle of Uhud.\u00a0 Frequent references to Qur\u2019anic verses mentioning the term are made.<\/p>\n<p>??? ???????? ????????? ??????? ????? ????????? ?????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????? ??????????? ???????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful&#8221; (Qur\u2019an 8:45).<\/p>\n<p>This above verse is used by jihadis on a regular basis.\u00a0 It asks the believers to hold their position and pray to Allah when faced with adversaries in battle.\u00a0 It is therefore very important to every jihadi to read the Qur&#8217;an and hadith and to mention Allah whenever he is in battle.\u00a0 The word \u201cAllah\u201d and the adjectives normally attached to it are abundant in jihadi rhetoric, sprinkled within almost every sentence any jihadi utters.<\/p>\n<p>Abu Bakr al-Baghdai mentioned <em>al-thabaat<\/em> in the second part of his speech.\u00a0 He beseeched Allah to &#8220;<em>yuthabet<\/em>&#8221; (hold firm) the feet of the mujahideen. The Qur&#8217;anic references for al-Baghdadi are these verses:<\/p>\n<p>?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;And when they went forth to [face] Goliath and his soldiers, they said, \u2018Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people\u2019\u201d (Qur\u2019an 2:250)<\/p>\n<p>??? ???????? ????????? ??????? ???? ?????????? ??????? ???????????? ??????????? ?????????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet&#8221; (Qur\u2019an 47:7).<\/p>\n<p><em>Al-thabaat<\/em> also has a lot to do with courage.\u00a0 It is very common to hear every jihadi and suicide bomber include the word <em>thabaat<\/em> in their speeches\u2014even Chechens and other non-Arabic-speakers use this word prolifically.\u00a0 A very common phrase is to ask Allah for <em>al-thabaat<\/em>: \u201c\u2026???? ?? ???? ??????\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>5 \u2013 al-Tamkeen <\/strong><strong>???????<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Al-tamkeen<\/em> means simply to be able to control what you have taken and establish yourself within it.\u00a0 The Qur\u2019an provides the basis for the concept of <em>tamkeen<\/em> as something done over a piece of land.\u00a0 At this stage the group must create the infrastructure of a state. Islamic scholars have, of course, written volumes about it, but the basic idea is conveyed by the following Qur&#8217;anic verse:<\/p>\n<p>????????? ???? ??????? ????? ????????? ????????????? ??? ????????? ?????????????? ????????? ?????????????? ?????????????\u00a0\u00a0 ??????????? ?????? ??? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors,\u00a0and establish them in the land\u201d (Qur\u2019an 28:5-6).<\/p>\n<p>????????? ???? ????????????? ??? ????????? ????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ????????? ???? ??????????? ? ????????? ????????? ?????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;Those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give <em>zakah<\/em> and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of [all] matters&#8221; (Qur\u2019an 22:41).<\/p>\n<p>?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ????????????? ????????????????????? ??? ????????? ????? ??????????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ? ?????????????? ??? ??????????? ??? ??????? ? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????<\/p>\n<p>??????????? ?????????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????????? ???????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that &#8211; then those are the defiantly disobedient.\u00a0 And establish prayer and give <em>zakah<\/em> and obey the Messenger &#8211; that you may receive mercy&#8221; (Qur\u2019an 24:55-56).<\/p>\n<p>In his speech, al-Baghdadi stressed this concept.\u00a0 He said that having the might to do <em>tamkeen <\/em>is part of observing Islam correctly (being able to force others to do what you believe is right), and quoted this verse:<\/p>\n<p>?????? ??????????? ????????? ??????????????? ????????????? ???????? ?????????? ????????????? ????????? ???????? ??????????? ? ????????????? ?????????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ????????? ???????????? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????? ? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might\u201d (Qur\u2019an 57:25).<\/p>\n<p>After using this Qur\u2019anic text, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi shouted a slogan of ISIS (the \u201cfoundation of religion\u201d phrase from Ibn Taymiyah which is very important for jihadis), which is as follows: \u201cThe foundation of the religion is a book that leads and a sword that supports it\u201d (???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ????).<\/p>\n<p>The concept of <em>tamkeen<\/em> can explain why jihadis make the call for prayer every time they overrun a post.\u00a0 In their creed, the power to raise your voice in the call to prayer is a sign of <em>tamkeen<\/em>\u2014that you have control over the place.\u00a0 The verbal form of this word is also used when ISIS soldiers are leading prisoners of war or after they behead someone,\u00a0in such phrases as: \u201cWe thank Allah who made us control their necks\u201d (???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???????).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>6 \u2013 al-Istikhlaf \u00a0 <\/strong><strong>?????????<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Al-istikhlaf<\/em> is derived from the same root as the word <em>khilafa<\/em> (caliphate). This is when you, as a jihadi, get to kick it into the net: now that you\u2019ve followed the rules, carried out Allah\u2019s will, fought for the land, implemented control after being granted the land by Allah, it is now time for the final step\u2014the establishment of a <em>khilafa<\/em>, i.e. a state that follows <em>shari\u2019at Allah<\/em>, the laws of Allah.\u00a0 Just remember that for your caliphate to be a legitimate one\u2014not just a crazed delusion proclaimed by some fanatical wanabees\u2014you must follow all the right steps, as outlined here, leading up to this one.<\/p>\n<p>Al-Baghdadi spoke extensively on the concept of <em>istikhlaaf<\/em> in his speech, saying that after his group was able to exercise control it became their Islamic duty to declare a <em>khilafa<\/em>\u2014the duty that Muslims had \u201clost for centuries.\u201d\u00a0 He stressed that &#8220;Muslims should always try to establish it [<em>khilafa<\/em>].&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Al-istikhlaf<\/em> is based on several Qur&#8217;anic verses and hadiths:<\/p>\n<p>????? ????? ????????? ???? ???????? ??????????? ?????????????????? ??? ?????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;He said &#8216;Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and grant you succession in the land and see how you will do&#8221; (Qur\u2019an 7:129).<\/p>\n<p>?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????? ???????????????????? ??? ????????? ????? ??????????? ????????? ??? ?????????<\/p>\n<p>Translation: &#8220;Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them\u2026&#8221; (Qur\u2019an 24:55).<\/p>\n<p>The Qur\u2019an mentions in many verses that the believers will inherit the earth.\u00a0 It also states that Allah owns the land and that he will give it to his favorite followers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion \u2013 Ready to Establish Your Own Caliphate, Baghdadi Style<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve taken notes on the necessary stages of the jihadi project, you\u2019re better prepared to follow al-Baghdadi\u2019s example and pursue the establishment of your own caliphate (provided you purify your heart and all that). If you\u2019re lucky, the loyal men you\u2019ve surrounded yourself with (who don\u2019t dare express dissent since they know death will be the penalty) will \u2018elect\u2019 you as the caliph!<\/p>\n<p>In his first-ever public appearance, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi wanted to demonstrate his control and prove that the time to remain hidden has passed.\u00a0 As <em>khalifa<\/em>, he can now choose his whereabouts and act as a public figure.\u00a0 Far from featuring Ramadan as the spiritual journey it is understood to be by most Muslims, al-Baghdadi turned it into a jihad-fest.\u00a0 In the first sermon of Ramadan, he called Muslims to join the jihad and build <em>khilafa<\/em>.\u00a0 He came dressed in black and walked with a limp, conveying that he had been wounded in the jihad.<\/p>\n<p>Al-Baghdadi performed the duties of a <em>khalifa<\/em>: giving a sermon and leading the people in prayer.\u00a0 He brandished his linguistic skills and\u00a0some admirers praised him for having improvised his speech.\u00a0 But don\u2019t let this intimidate you regarding your own aspirations: if you really follow the speech of jihadis, you\u2019ll find that they repeat a very finite number of limited concepts, encapsulated within the same few-dozen cookie-cutter sentences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Mohammad D for Syria Comment &nbsp; Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the newly minted caliph of the \u201cIslamic State,\u201d chose the first Friday of Ramadan to make his first public appearance\u2014ever. Until now he has worked outside the limelight, and the almost complete absence of his image in public media had generated a sense of mystique [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[50,30,256,408],"tags":[128,315,144,456,316,476,192,411],"class_list":["post-21117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-extremist-groups","category-iraq","category-isis","category-mohammad-d","tag-al-qaida","tag-baghdadi","tag-caliphate","tag-iraq","tag-is","tag-isis","tag-jihad","tag-mohammad-d"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - 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