Image from latest IS media statement
Islamic State (IS) has released its latest video via Al Furqan, a 29 minute feature focusing on choices for Christians under their rule and the consequences for those alleged to have transgressed.
The video entitled “Until there came to them clear evidence” featured a number of references to “crusaders” oppressing Muslims and also showed IS fighters destroying crosses on the outside of churches and others symbols of Christianity.
IS quoted Qur’an on treatment of Christians and Jews and highlighted the jizya tax imposed on non-Muslims (Dhimmis) who live under Muslim rule according to the Qur’an and hadith. This can be paid in money or equivalent in gold or silver depending on wealth to those not wishing to revert to Islam. In return they are granted permission to practice their faith and entitled to Muslim protection.
The video also shows two grizly massacres, one of beheadings on a beach, the other appears to be new footage in a scrubland area showing mass shootings. This features the Libyan version of “Jihadi John” delivering a speech on jizya before the slaughter of what is purported to be members of the Ethiopian Church taken in Libya by militants linked to IS.
However Ethiopian government spokesperson Redwan Hussein told Reuters news agency,
“we have seen the video but our embassy in Cairo has not been able to confirm that the victims are Ethiopian nationals…. Nonetheless, the Ethiopian government condemns the atrocious act.”
5 boys from same family killed in Jalalabad attacks
(via journalist Abdulhaq Omeri)
This week also saw the first alleged attacks by IS on Afghan soil in Jalalabad after a number of Taliban commanders defected at the back-end of last year (2014). Attacks were carried out near banks where government employees and security forces were gathered to receive their paychecks and another was near to a shrine. The assaults left 35 persons dead including 5 young boys belonging to the same family and 125 wounded The active presence of IS will be a great concern for the government as the Spring Offensive starts, see following link for more details,
“Afghanistan: Islamic State allegedly claim Jalalabad attacks leaving 35 dead and 125 wounded”
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 