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The latest issue of the Urdu-language magazine "Taliban," which is published by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has several articles on Jews and Israel, condemns Israeli attacks in Gaza, and criticizes the lack of action by Islamic leaders to defend Palestinians. In a major article, the magazine also promotes antisemitism, disparaging Jews as "pigs and monkeys."
The magazine's latest edition, Issue 21, is dated Rabi-us-Sani 1445, in the Hijri calendar, which corresponds with the lunar month from October 16, 2023, to November 14, 2023. A PDF copy of the magazine was shared on the website of TTP media arm Umar Media and was also posted on Archive.org.
"In This Current Invasion, Its Cruelty And Barbarity Has Reached An Extreme"
An editorial titled "Palestine Bloodied" condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza and the lack of action from Muslim leaders to help Palestinians. "Israel, the illegitimate child of America, has been continuously breaking mountains of oppression on the people of Palestine for the past 70 years, but in this current invasion, its cruelty and barbarity has reached an extreme," it says.
Accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, the editorial says: "Israel has openly committed war crimes in this invasion. Innocent children and women have been bombarded, residential areas, hospitals, educational institutions, and welfare centers have also been targeted by aerial attacks, but the UN has remained a silent spectator despite all these atrocities."
Criticizing the support for Israel from the United States and European countries, the editorial laments the lack of a strong response from Muslim leaders. "The United States and other European countries have openly declared their support for Israel on this cruelty, but unfortunately, the so-called rulers of the Muslim Ummah are unable to even make a statement against Israel and in favor of the people of Palestine," it adds.
The editorial says that despite witnessing the oppression and injustices in the holy land of the prophets, the Muslim Ummah has abandoned the concept of jihad in the path of Allah. It mentions that the Ummah seems to have fallen into a state of wahn, or intellectual and spiritual weakness as per the Quranic meaning.
It says the Muslim Ummah is no longer actively pursuing jihad as a means of resistance or defense in the face of oppression and injustice, adding: "Where has the honor and dignity of the Muslim Ummah gone? Humiliation and indigence have become the destiny of this nation [of Muslims]. It was bound to happen that the Ummah would abandon jihad in the way of Allah and is suffering from the disease of wahn."
Questioning why, despite Jerusalem being the land of prophets and the holy land for Muslims, the Muslim Ummah seems to be passive, relying on prayers alone, the editorial emphasizes the determination and sacrifice of the people of Gaza, who choose honor over humiliation in defending their land and Islam. "The day is not far when this sacrifice and struggle of the people of Gaza will pay off and the existence of the impure state of Israel will end on this earth. Allah willing."
One of the major articles, titled "The Jews' 3,500-Year Short History," gives a perspective of the historical status of the Jewish people, as described in the Quran and by certain Islamic religious scholars. "In order to understand the eternal humiliation and eternal subjugation of the Jews, we divide their history of three and a half thousand years into three periods," it says.
"You Expecting The Pakistani Army To Defend Islam And Muslims Against An Unbeliever Force [Reflects] A Misunderstanding"
The article highlights three distinct periods in Jewish history: the 2,000-year era before the advent of Muhammad as a prophet, the 1,370-year period from Prophet Muhammad's mission until the establishment of Israel in 1948, and the 75-year period from the establishment of Israel to the present day.
In the first period, Jews were considered a highly honored and superior nation due to their adherence to God's laws, the article says, adding that their ingratitude and rebellion against the laws of Allah led to their decline in status and eternal humiliation. The article is written by Mufti Ghufran, an Islamic religious scholar.
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During the second period, lasting from Prophet Muhammad's mission until the establishment of Israel, Jews were dispersed across the world and faced various challenges, it says. The third period, beginning with the establishment of Israel in 1948, is characterized by ongoing humiliation of Jews, seen as divinely ordained as a form of punishment for their disobedience of Allah's laws.
A screenshot of the article titled "The Jews' 3500-Year Short History"
The article cites specific verses from the Quran to support these claims, including 2:62, which reads: "The punishment of the Jews is described as eternal humiliation and embarrassment in this world and the wrath of God in this world and the hereafter... No matter how rich they become, they will always be considered the humiliated and despised among all the nations. Whoever touches them will humiliate them and put the symbols of slavery on them," it says.
This perspective on the history of Jews is derived from the interpretations of Islamic religious scholars and the Quran itself, the author of the article says. He stresses the Islamic belief that the Jews will always be considered wretched and lowly among the nations, subject to domination and humiliation. The curses of the prophets and the transformation of some Jews' physical forms into those of "pigs and monkeys" are presented as signs of their downfall.
Mufti Ghufran, the author, adds: "[Jews] were cursed by Allah, first by the tongue of Dawood (peace be upon him) and as a result of which their faces became distorted. They became pigs, then this curse was imposed on them by the tongue of Hazrat Isa [i.e., Jesus] (peace be upon him), the effect of which in the world was that they were deformed and became monkeys."
The magazine carries another key article, titled "Palestine-Israel Dispute And Expectations From Pakistani Military." It discusses the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the suffering of Palestinian Muslims at the hands of Israeli Jews. It highlights the misconception that national militaries like Pakistan's prioritize the interests of Islam and Muslims, emphasizing that these forces primarily serve their own countries.
"Every sincere Muslim in the world is saddened by Israel's genocide of Palestinian Muslims and is forced to think how this problem can be solved in the end, and how to stop Israel from this terror and oppression, and how to avenge the massacre of oppressed Muslims," the article's author, Maulana Abdul Hakeem Siddiqui, says and tells the people of Pakistan: "You expecting the Pakistani army to defend Islam and Muslims against an unbeliever force [reflects] a misunderstanding."
"The Strength Of Muslims Is Not Protest, But Jihad"
Maulana Abdul Hakeem Siddiqui further says: "The minds of many people would go toward the militaries of the world of Islam and from among those first of all the name of the Pakistani military would arise, as if this military would avenge the deaths of oppressed Palestinians and liberate them from the oppression of Israeli Jews. For people to look up to Pakistani military with such expectations is because it has been instilled in their minds that this military is number one in the world of Islam, rather than number one in the world. It is also called the protector of Harmain Sharifain [i.e., the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina], and Pakistan's certain religious circles issue fatwas [Islamic religious decrees] in favor of the sanctity of it."
Maulana Abdul Hakeem Siddiqui, the author of the article, stresses the Pakistani military's historical alignment with British and American interests, noting its role in international conflicts as a result. It argues that the military's mission is not to protect Islam and Muslims globally but to serve the interests of Pakistan. He also points out that the military's silence on the Israel-Palestine issue is due to its alignment with powerful nations like the United States, rather than being an Islamic military.
"The Pakistani army will never have the courage to issue any condemnation of Israel because the issue is between America and Israel; Israel belongs to America... the Pakistani army is an American slave. Imagine that a slave could show his eyes to his master and to his master's child," the author says.
A screenshot of an article titled "Palestine-Israel Dispute And Expectations From The Pakistani Military"
One of the lead articles in the magazine is titled "The Alliance Of Kufr [Unbelief] And Protests By Muslims Divided Into Pieces" and is written by Abdullah Mujahid. It discusses the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and highlights the lack of practical responses from Muslim countries. It begins by pointing out that the issue of Palestine has not received substantial action or support from Muslim nations. Despite condemning Israel's actions in Gaza, Muslim leaders have failed to take effective measures in support of the Palestinian cause, it adds.
The article also emphasizes that the solution to the Palestinian issue lies in jihad, not just protests, and it cites historical examples of jihad leading to the successes of Muslims. It says the significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine extends beyond a single land or nation; it holds a special place in Islamic heritage and spirituality.
"The strength of Muslims is not protest, but jihad. Yes! Muslims have always been successful with jihad – protests have been going on for decades in Palestine, Kashmir, and Burma [Myanmar], but with the blessing of jihad, Muslims have defeated the unbelief of the whole world in just 20 years," it says in reference to the defeat of America by the Afghan Taliban after 20 years of war.
"The Palestinians Must Be Helped By Jihad; Then Palestine Will Be Free"
"The Palestinians must be helped by Jihad; then Palestine will be free; and the Muslim countries must form an alliance of independent Muslim nations to establish their status and unite among themselves, which will work only for the collective interest and unity of the Muslim countries," the author Abdullah Mujahid suggests.
The magazine also has an interview of Maulana Qari Shoaib, who is member of the Rahbari Shura (Leadership Council) of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, in which he gives the group's perspective on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He says that the TTP stands firmly with Palestinians and condemns Israel, describing it as an occupation force that has seized Palestinian lands.
"Israel is bringing more Jews to live there," the TTP commander says and suggests that Israel's actions are not only causing immense harm but are "also part of a broader Zionist agenda." He discusses historical events such as early Zionist movements and the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which paved the way for the establishment of Israel in Palestine.
The cover of Issue 21 of the magazine
One of the articles discusses the current situation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where Palestinian Muslims are facing severe hardships due to Israeli actions resulting from the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas against Israel. It highlights the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinians, including women and children.
The article criticizes the lack of meaningful action or support from the international community, including Islamic countries and organizations. The passage suggests that "Muslim nations should unite under a strong leadership, like the Ottoman Caliphate in the past" in order to address the common issues faced by Muslims worldwide.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, the magazine's last page carries an image of Al-Aqsa along with a "message" that reads: "The scholars should make common Muslims aware of the history, and religious and political importance of Palestine. What is the Palestinian dispute, and why Muslims should be sensitive about it – the generation of youth should be made aware of the real situation. What are the crimes and psychologies of Jews and why have they been called the source of evil... in the Quran's biggest chapter."
"What Is The Difference Between War And Jihad, And Why Is Hamas On Its Current Orientation? The New Generation Should Be Enlightened About These Realities"
The message adds: "In the current era, why is there an alliance of Israel, America, and Europe? What is the difference between war and jihad, and why is Hamas on its current orientation? The new generation should be enlightened about these realities." It says: "It is the responsibility of those who are connected with the media, or at the least use social media, not to forward false and unauthenticated information, but rather to expose the propaganda of the enemy..."
As a regular feature, the magazine publishes an infographic on the activities executed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) mujahideen each month. The magazine's current issue includes such an infographic and a detailed report with reports of TTP operations executed in October 2023.
According to the infographic, the militant group conducted a total of 83 attacks during the month of October. These attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of 211 personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Counter-Terrorism Department, paramilitary force Frontier Corps, and intelligence agencies, among others. Additionally, the TTP militants reportedly seized a significant amount of weapons and other equipment from Pakistani security forces.
An infographic included in the magazine details TTP attacks in October 2023
There are several articles in the magazine of Islamic religious importance. The following articles are mentioned in the magazine's table of contents: "Editorial – Palestine Bloodied"; "The Jews' 3500-Year Short History" by Mufti Gufran; "The Palestine-Israel Dispute And Expectations From The Pakistani Military" by Maulana Adul Hakeem Siddiqui; "A Discussion About Hazrat Sabit Bint Qais Ansari" by Ustad Zakirulllah; "The Alliance Of Kufr [Unbelief] And Protests By Muslims Divided Into Pieces" by Abdullah Mujahid; "An Interview With Maulana Qari Shoaib Regarding The Current Situation In Palestine"; "The Palestinian Issue And 58 Islamic Countries" by Maulana Abu Muhammad Afridi"; "The Pakistani Military – When, How Why Did It Come Into Existence? Part 2" by Engineer Saad Memon; "Urdu Translation Of The Pashtu-Language Biographical Book 'Leaders Of The Caravan Of Truth' On The Senior Leaders Of The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan – Part 6," translation by Sheikh Abdul Rehman Hammad, Graduate Of Darul Uloom Madrassa, Karachi. "The Cries Of The Oppressed – Part Five Of A Book About Prisoners Written By Mufti Tarek Mehsud, Member Of The Rahbari Shura [Leadership Council] Of TTP"; "The Constitution Of Pakistan – Islamic Or Un-Islamic? Part 6" by Sheikh Abdur Rehaman Hammad; "Why Are Tough Statements Only For The Weak – Like The State, Like The Cricket Board" by Maulana Khalid Quraishi; "The Best Law" by Ilias Yousufzai; and "The Real And Revolutionary Strategy For The Crimes Committed [By Israel] On Al-Quds [Jerusalem], The Muslims Of Pakistan And Muslim Ummah" by Hazabah Ghazi.
* Mantasha Ansari is a Research Assistant at MEMRI's South Asia Studies Project.
Source: Archive.org, accessed November 7, 2023.
