The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
On October 29, 2022, a London-based pro-Islamic State (ISIS) preacher published a post on his Telegram channel promoting his new Twitter account and asking supporters to follow him. The jihadi preacher wrote that he is launching a Twitter account in light of the platform's change in leadership.[1]
"You can now catch me on Twitter again (following the supposed promise of Elon Musk to support free speech)," said the post on his Telegram channel.[2]
"Promoting Implementation Of Shari'a Worldwide"
The newly-created Twitter account shows that the preacher joined the platform in October, has 491 followers so far, and has posted 31 tweets.
In his account bio, he wrote: "I believe that Islam is superior and will never be surpassed. Islam is what you believe in (Tawheed), live by (Shari'ah) and struggle for (Daw'ah and Jihad)."
The preacher tweeted for the first time on October 29, arguing that he wants to use the platform to promote shari'a (Islamic law) worldwide, raise awareness about Islam, and expose the enemies of Muslims.
Capitalizing On FIFA World Cup To Condemn Qatar
Commenting on the FIFA World Cup, due to take place in Qatar on November 18, the jihadi preacher seized on the event hashtag to attack the country.
"#FIFAWorldCup I look forward to the day when Qatar is governed once more by the Shari'ah alone and ALL of the Islamic punishment system is implemented. This is a promise of Allah, as foretold by the Messenger Muhammad (saw). Indeed one day even the US & UK will have Shari'ah law!"
In a second tweet, he criticized the Qatari government, accusing it of collaborating with the enemies of Muslims, hosting a U.S. military airbase, and permitting homosexuality.
"#FIFAWorldCup The Qatari regime are open collaborators with the enemies of Muslims eg they host the US air force who have slaughtered 1000’s of Muslims. Banning homosexuality is Islamic & those engaged in it are punished under divine law. However, the Qatari regime is NOT Islamic!"
Shari'a In The UK
He also tweeted twice calling for implementing shari'a in the UK, arguing that the country needs laws not based on "the limited changeable ideas of humans. We do not need dictatorship by the majority. Democracies always result in unstable governments. Let us implement Allah's law on his Earth; surely the one who created us knows best what is good for us."
Previous Social Media Campaigns
Other tweets highlighted the preacher's previous social media campaigns aimed at freeing jihadi preachers and clerics who are convicted of terrorism-related charges. Others promoted online lectures and conferences held by the preacher in collaboration with an Australian pro-ISIS cleric and a jihadi cleric who is a British convert to Islam.
[1] Twitter, October, 29, 2022.
[2] Telegram, October 29, 2022.
The full text of this post is available to subscribers.
Please login or register to request subscription information from MEMRI
