Essay By Pro-Al-Qaeda Media Group Urges Muslims To Assassinate French President Macron

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On March 30, 2024, the pro-Al-Qaeda Al-Kifah media outlet published a nine-page essay in French, English, and Arabic versions titled "The Execution of the Command of the Lord of Creation against the Leaders of Disbelief and Defamation," written by Ja'far Abu Basir.[1] The essay brands French President Emmanuel Macron an enemy of Islam and calls on Muslims in France and abroad to assassinate him. Its cover depicts Macron waving to a crowd of people, many of whom take out cellphones to photograph him, while one person produces a handgun and shoots him.

The following report is based on the English version of the essay, lightly edited for clarity:

Macron Is Responsible For France's Hostility To Islam, The Quran Calls To Fight Him

Abu Basir argues that the head of state is responsible for his subjects' behavior, and thus the "increase in hatred and hostility … towards Islam and Muslims" in France should be blamed on "the arrogant and insolent Macron." The French president "does not refrain from defaming Islam, and from showing his support" for those hostile to it, and thereby "legitimizes and encourages people to … compete in affront and offence against the religion of Allah, the Exalted."

The essay quotes Macron as saying: "The law is clear: we have the right to blasphemy, to criticize, to caricature religions. I will not give in on this," and: "Salman Rushdie embodies freedom against obscurantism, his fight is ours."

Quoting Quran 9:12: "And [they] defame your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease," Abu Basir declares: "When Macron brandishes a law forged by disobedient servants [of Allah] to grant himself and others the right to defame the religion approved by the Lord for all of His servants, the Law of the Lord … condemns his defamation and orders to fight the leaders of unbelief who defame religions so that they cease."

The essay adds that defaming Islam "is only one of the many transgressions and crimes perpetrated by the French state … in its total wat against Islam and its people everywhere." Abu Basir accuses the French government of closing mosques, forcing Muslim women to remove their hijabs, kidnapping Muslim children from their families, and imprisoning Muslim men, as well as occupying Muslim countries, plundering their resources, murdering their inhabitants, and supporting "the tyrannical leaders who govern them and spread corruption there."

Abu Basir concludes: "The disease has been established and its cure prescribed. For who he is and what he does, Macron must be in the line of fire and rendered harmless."

French Muslims, Especially Those Close To Macron, Must Demonstrate Their Devotion To Their Religion By Targeting Him

Addressing Muslims in France, Abu Basir tells them: "Your sincerity with regard to your religion … is being put to the test here," quoting Quran 9:38-39: "What is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? … If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people."

The Al-Qaeda supporter asserts that living in the "hostile land" of France poses a physical and spiritual danger to Muslims, noting that the Prophet Muhammad said: "I disavow any Muslim residing among polytheists." He adds: "It is up to you to ultimately turn to your advantage a situation that was initially to your detriment, by moving from the status of … resident to that of an incursion fighter." Abu Basir promises great reward to French Muslims who carry out acts of jihad, quoting Quran 4:95-96: "But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward, degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy."

Abu Basir singles out Muslims who "have gone far astray" by becoming bodyguards, chauffeurs, and doormen for the "enemy of Allah," urging them to "repent … and execute the command of their Lord … and may the last words heard by the leader of the unbelievers be 'Allah is Greater!'" He quotes a hadith in which Muhammad said: "Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?! Attack in the cause of Allah!"

Assassinating Heads Of State Is Feasible, Killing Macron Serves Muslims' Best Interests

The essay warns against heeding the "whispers of Satan," which claim it is impossible to attack Macron due to the high security surrounding him, noting that he was hit with an egg and slapped on two separate occasions in 2021. Furthermore, a "statuette disfigured the face" of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2009, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot to death in 2022.

Illustrations show Turkish police officer Mevlüt Altıntaş who killed Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov in 2016, as well as scenes of Macron and Berlusconi being assaulted and Abe shot.

Abu Basir also warns against listening to the doubts posed by "the imams of the republic, the preachers of the Islam of France, and the Salafis of the General Directorate of Internal Security," or to "Muslims whose common sense has unfortunately been corrupted," who suggest that such an attack would cause more harm to Muslims than good. He declares: "Can there be greater detriment than offense against the religion of Allah, the Exalted, and His Messenger?"

Macron Should Be Targeted In France Or Abroad

The Al-Qaeda supporter further argues that all Muslims have a duty to assassinate the French president, asserting: "There is no doubt that Macron is a legitimate target, rather a priority target for Muslims living in France, but not only [them]." Declaring Macron an enemy of all Muslims, Abu Basir states that he should "live in his country in fear and under the threat of the execution of the command of Allah," but also be unable to "move [freely] abroad with complete serenity and with the utmost boldness," especially in Muslim countries. He urges residents of those lands to "seize the opportunity that the enemy is on the move and out of his stronghold."

Abu Basir concludes by asking Allah to "guide and grant success to anyone among His servants who undertakes to fight and kill the leaders of unbelief," adding: "O Allah, may the death of Macron be similar to the death of [Napoleon's commander in Egypt, Jean-Baptiste] Kléber."

Jihadis have long seen Macron as a prime enemy and incited against him. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has branded him an enemy of Islam while calling to kill those who insult Muhammad,[2] and Al-Qaeda supporters and other jihadis called to assassinate him during his December 2022 visit to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup.[3]