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THE MOSLEM WORLD: THEORETICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEMS
SHAKHZOD ISLAMOV. RELIGIOUS PROPAGANDA OF THE ISLAMIC STATE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION / / The article was written for the bulletin "Russia and the Moslem World.
Keywords: ISIL, religious propaganda, distortion of Islam, enlightened Islam,
Koran, Islamic scholars, mass media, political technologies.
Shakhzod Islamov,
Postgraduate Student, Tashkent Islamic University
Abstract: the article analyzes the activity of the Islamic State organization banned in the Russian Federation. It examines the methods of fighting this terrorist organization and its attempts to distort Islam.
The essence of the train of events going on in the Middle East, as well as the present socio-political and religious situation in Syria and Iraq are in the center of attention of the world community.
In the course of these events each analyst can clearly see the political technologies applied at present, which have never been observed earlier and were known only in theory.
The rapid spreading of the activity of the terrorist organization presenting itself as the "Islamic State of Iraq and Lebanon" ("ISIL") is undoubtedly a result of the well-thought-out propaganda in the mass media, especially the Internet. Today,
broad public, including Islamic scholars all over the world are engaged in the struggle against the negative influence and terrible consequences of the activity of this terrorist organization. To date, experts and scholars thoroughly study the methods used by the ISIL propagandists and ideologists, for one, their use of the Koran, sunnah, fatwas, etc . Researchers assert that the use of the Islamic sources is playing the central role in the activity of the ISIL and other terrorist organizations.
The supporters of the idea of jihad distort the premises of the Koran in trying to justify their criminal activities. Experts of a center in the United States, having analyzed 256 religious propaganda video materials published in the period from July 2014 to July 2016 have found that they distorted the meaning of quite a few Medina and Mecca acts. They propagandized the ideas of jihad; social services rendered by terrorist organizations of unlawfully occupied territories discredit ordinary Muslims in other countries. The meaning of the Koran is distorted for justifying domination of the seized territories and the local population.
In its religious propaganda the "ISIL" often compares itself with the Muslim community of the time of Prophet Mohammed, thus trying to encourage its followers and supporters. In one of its addresses to believers it was said they had been forced to leave their Motherland "just like you and succeeded to create an ideal society, just like we." By claiming this, they wanted to present themselves in the image of the initial Muslim community.
Using religious texts as propaganda material by distorting the essence of the sacred sources of Islam, they wish, first and foremost, to prepare the religious foundations for creating a Caliphate. Secondly, the terrorist organization is trying to approve its military actions. By citing examples from religious texts the "ISIL" is striving to achieve spiritual discrediting and help physical annihilation of its political rivals.
Another reason for using religious sources in the "ISIL" media propaganda is its desire to justify the criminal actions of
foreign mercenaries serving in the ranks of terrorist units and forestall discontent and suspicions in their ranks.
Among the often used terms in religious propaganda materials of the "ISIL" are such as "qafir," "murtad," "jihad," shahid," "dual Islam," "darul harb," "hijrat," and others. Terrorist organizations distort terms in order to undermine Muslim faith all over the world and prove that the true Muslims are only those who support the "ISIL."
It is indicative that the ideological leaders of terrorist organizations, in substantiating such ideas as "jihad," "shahid," "dar ul qufr," etc. do not give substantiation and do not divide them into degrees.
In its religious propaganda the "ISIS" often compares itself to the Muslim community of Prophet Mohammed's time, thus encouraging its followers. The "ISIS" positions itself as an initial and ideal Muslim community. Using religious texts as propaganda material and distorting the sacred sources of Islam, the "ISIS" heads try to create the religious foundations for forming a Caliphate. Secondly, this terrorist organization makes attempts to justify its military actions. Its main aim is to physically annihilate of spiritually discredit its political rivals.
Another reason to use religious sources in the media propaganda of the "ISIS" is its striving to justify the criminal activities of foreigners serving in the ranks of this terrorist organization and forestall their discontent and suspicions.
The terrorist organization often distorts religious terms in order to undermine the belief of the world Muslims and to prove that the only devout Muslims are those who support the "ISIL."
It is indicative that the ideological leaders of terrorist organizations avoid substantiations of such ideas as "jihad," "shahid," or "dar ul qufr" and do not divide them into degrees.
In experts' views, the bulk of those who join the "ISIL" ranks is young men without religious knowledge and proper understanding of the idea of jihad. Andrew Lebovich, expert on the Middle East, on the basis of information about 3,000 fighters
taking part in military hostilities notes their low religious literacy and superficial understanding of Islamic theory.
According to research, the "ISIL" in its propaganda pays main attention to the following subjects:
a) propaganda of military successes of the terrorist organization, annexation of new territories by the "ISIL," and operation of military camps training fighters;
b) management of and control over fulfillment of the established rules; the organization tends to centralized state and legal management; it should be noted that the "ISIL" tries to position itself as an organization guaranteeing the rights of Muslims.;
c) propaganda in the interests of the "ISIL." The terrorist organization distorts Islam in its interests and tries to show that the "ISIL" is the only representative of true Islam. The organization is engaged in spreading its pseudo-religious ideology among the broad masses of the population;
d) spreading false information about a Caliphate, which is claimed to be the only power of all Muslims. The order established on the unlawfully seized territories favorable for the local population with a view to drawing more people to the"ISIL" ranks;
e) damage inflicted on Muslims by their enemies; attempts to discredit the world community and fan up enmity toward it; the false idea is spread that the main aim of the enemies of the "ISIL" is a struggle against Islam.
According to most experts, the authoritative religious leaders are the only force who could help people influenced by the "ISIL" propaganda renounce harmful decisions.
Muslim scholars and priests have a great potential to denounce the ideas which run counter to pure faith and show the real face of terrorist organizations. They should be especially cautious and sincere in their ideological propaganda against terrorism.
It should be admitted that authoritative Islamic scholars denounce such terrorist organizations as the "ISIL." However, their statements and writings often do not reach young men, who can easily fall under the influence of harmful ideas.
Experts assert that the "ISIL" propaganda is well organized and quite effective and therefore it is necessary that counter-propaganda should be more attractive and trustworthy.
It is important not to overestimate the "ISIL" successes. The potential of the "ISIL" and its terrorist activity should be described truthfully and thoroughly in order to distance people's sympathies from it.
It's important to tell people true stories of those who have joined the ranks of terrorist organizations by mistake or by persuasion, and suffered a great deal as a result. True information about the "ISIL" and its criminal activities, and its distortions of the real essence and aims of Islam should be brought to the knowledge of the broad masses of Muslims. Views and calls of important scholars of the Islamic world should be made known to the broad masses of Muslims through the Internet and other mass media in order to turn them away from the "ISIL" and other terrorist and extremist elements.
It is important to prove that the terrorist organization of the "ISIL," which declares itself a defender of the Sunnah faith, in real fact is sowing the seeds of discord, enmity and hatred among Muslims.
All pages in the social networks connected with the "ISIL" should be closed. It is necessary to spread the ideas of enlightened Islam calling for peace and accord. We believe that scientifically substantiated and well-thought-out propaganda against the "ISIL" will help see and understand the difference between true and distorted Islam causing disturbances and discord.
