Raising Lion Cubs for the Caliphate

Jun 27, 2017 by

by William Kilpatrick, Crisis Magazine:

There are a number of Muslim reform movements in the West and in the Muslim world which aim to make Islam a more peaceful religion by removing the more offensive parts. Some reformers, for example, want to rebuild Islam around the more peaceful verses of the Koran while discarding the violent verses.

But what if the main appeal of Islam lies precisely in those parts that the reformers wish to excise? What if the aggressiveness of Islam, its ambition to conquer the world, and its demand that others submit are its main attractions?

I recently watched a video of Syrian boys on a bus on their way to a training academy. They appeared to range in age from 9 to 12, many wore camouflage uniforms, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves thoroughly. They were singing the praises of jihad. Except for the lyrics, they could have been a group of Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts going off to summer camp. The lyrics? Here’s a sample:

O Mother don’t be sad. I’ve chosen the land of jihad. Wipe your tears. I only went to fight the Jews.

And another:

(Boy leader): Our destiny? Our destiny?

(Chorus): Jihad! Jihad!

A bearded man in his twenties, the leader of the group, explains to the camera: “We call this generation the cubs of a lion…God willing these youth will establish a caliphate…and they will carry the message of jihad.” He asks one boy, “Why did you come here?” Answer: “To become a Mujahideen fighter.” If you’re thinking that these ISIS loyalists will be a hard nut to crack, think again. The film follows the activities of the Syrian branch of Al Nusra-Al Qaeda, a group that is fighting against ISIS (and also against President Assad’s government).

Read here

Related Posts

Tags

Share This