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RYAN MAURO
TOPIC-
The newly released ISIS video bragging about the beheading of Peter Kassig emphasizes Islamic End Times prophecies about the coming of their Savior, the Madhi.
.Available to be your expert interview guest on this topic is Ryan Mauro of The Clarion Project. The following is his statement on this topic:
The gruesome video released by the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) emphasizes that the beheading of Peter Kassig took place in the town of Dabiq, Syria. The town was chosen because of its significance in Islamic End Times prophecies about the time when the Mahdi and Jesus will bring victory over those who oppose Sharia.
ISIS named its English-language magazine “Dabiq” for the same reason. The group is telling Muslims that it is fulfilling prophecy, enticing them to participate in one of the most important moments in world history.
A secondary message is that ISIS supporters should not worry about the military superiority of their enemy or the terrorist group’s setbacks because they will soon be made victorious with help from the Mahdi, Islam’s messianic figure, and the Islamic version of Jesus.
“Here we are, buying the first American Crusader in Dabiq, eagerly waiting for the remainder of your armies to arrive,” says one ISIS speaker.
It plays an excerpt from a sermon by Abu Musab al-Zaraqawi, who led ISIS’s predecessor, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, until he was killed by a U.S. airstrike on June 7, 2006.
“The spark has been lit here in Iraq, and its heat will continue to intensify…until it burns the Crusader armies in Dabiq,” he preaches For a third time, an ISIS member says, “We are waiting for you in Dabiq.”
The statements are a reference to prophecies in the ahadith, or the collection of sayings and actions attributed to Mohammed, the Holy Prophet of Islam.
One collector of the hadith, Sahih Muslim, states, “The Last Hour would not come until the Romans would land at al-A’maq or in Dabiq.”
When ISIS refers to President Obama as the “dog of Rome” in the video, it is making the case that the U.S. is the modern equivalent of the Roman Empire and American military action in the Middle East is the actualizing of prophecy.
ISIS draws a parallel between its own actions and the details of the prophecy.
There are times that require people to step out of their comfort zone, to step up for justice, tolerance and moderation. We know going in that the repercussions of taking action will draw a rain of accusations and attacks from the forces we are confronting. We do it anyway. We do it because it must be done. Founded in 2006, the Clarion Project (formerly Clarion Fund Inc) is an independently funded, non-profit organization dedicated to exposing the dangers of Islamic extremism while providing a platform for the voices of moderation and promoting grassroots activism. Clarion’s award-winning movies have been seen by over 50 million people. They grapple with issues such as religious persecution, human rights, women’s rights, the dangers of a nuclear Iran and what the concept of jihad means for the West. Our dynamic website, viewed by over 450,000 people in 2012, covers breaking news and provides commentary on relevant issues. The Clarion Project draws together Middle East experts, scholars, human rights activists and Muslims to promote tolerance and moderation and challenge extremism. Podcast of the interview Download:
