Learning about the Islamic State’s Foundation of Thought by Reading the Online Rumiyah Magazine

Abstract

Rumiyah, which replaces the Dabiq magazine, is an online magazine used by the Islamic State (IS). It is released in ten languages with attractive content and form aiming at specific objects. Rumiyah shows the IS’s effort on the electronic front. Through the magazine, the IS’s ideas and goals are clearly expressed. In particular, theological interpretation sends the message of the IS to the whole world that the IS will set up a global religion which just obeys Allah though violence. It is noteworthy that the theological interpretation of the IS is not true to the Islamic doctrine, the values and spirits that Islamic civilization has created over the past century. Thus, the article focuses on analysing the content and purpose of theological thought of the Rumiyah magazine (through research on the four issues in 2016) in comparison with the The Qur’an, thereby contributing to identification this international terrorist organization.