To understand the foundation of the Islamic State it is of major importance to analyse the history of the relation between Europe and the Middle East. Since the foundation of the Islamic State (IS) on June 29 in 2014, analysts and historians debate about the origin and aims of it. Therefore, in the second step of this essay I will demonstrate the history of the Middle East by focusing particularly on the First World War as a starting point.
Table of Contents
1) Historical context “The past that will not go away”
2) Analysis of the Islamic State
Research Objective and Core Themes
This essay explores the historical and ideological origins of the Islamic State (IS), focusing on the long-term impact of Western colonial influence in the Middle East and how the group manipulates these historical grievances to justify its radical agenda.
- The historical development of Iraq as a state and its legacy of ethnic and confessional fragmentation.
- The impact of the First World War and the Sykes-Picot Agreement on the creation of borders and regional resentment.
- The ideological narrative of the Islamic State regarding the loss of the caliphate and the humiliation of the Muslim world.
- The strategic use of propaganda and religious terminology to mobilize support against Western influence.
Excerpt from the Book
Analysis of the Islamic State
In the first issue of Dabiq, that is published by the Islamic State “This is the promise of Allah”, the leaders of the Islamic State present Allah’s promise that is “Succession, establishment and safety”, but only under the condition of worship [An-Nur:55]. Submitting and being obedient to Allah’s command by complying with his rules of lusts, desires and inclinations will lead to the fulfilment of his promises. Then the “ability to build, reform, remove oppression, spread justice, and bring about safety and tranquillity” will come and succession will be there.
Furthermore, the leaders request the Muslims to strive for an own state, in order to return their sovereignty and dignity, that was taken from them, a long time ago. In their issue they claim:
“The time has come for those generations that were drowning in oceans of disgrace, being nursed on the milk of humiliation, and being ruled by the vilest of all people, after their long slumber in the darkness of neglect – the time has come for them to rise. The time has come for the ummah of Muammad […] to wake up from its sleep, remove the garments of dishonour, and shake off the dust of humiliation and disgrace.”
Summary of Chapters
1) Historical context “The past that will not go away”: This chapter examines the historical evolution of Iraq, highlighting how its heterogeneous population and the artificial borders drawn by European powers during and after World War I created deep-seated political instability.
2) Analysis of the Islamic State: This chapter analyzes the propaganda and theological justifications used by the Islamic State, specifically how the group reinterprets historical events like the Sykes-Picot Agreement to cast itself as the only force capable of restoring Muslim dignity.
Keywords
Islamic State, Middle East, Iraq, First World War, Sykes-Picot Agreement, Colonialism, Caliphate, Jihad, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Propaganda, Dabiq, Muslim Ummah, Western influence, Historical grievance, Radicalization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay examines the connections between the historical trauma of Western colonial interventions in the Middle East and the emergence of the Islamic State.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the failure of the Iraqi state, the legacy of the First World War, the narrative of betrayal by the West, and the ideological framing of the Islamic State as a restorative power for the Muslim community.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to demonstrate how the Islamic State utilizes historical narratives to construct an identity based on vengeance and the rejection of Western-imposed systems.
What methodology is employed?
The work utilizes a historical-analytical approach, reviewing literature and primary propaganda material from the Islamic State to map the link between past events and contemporary extremist ideologies.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the Mesopotamian history, the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the destabilization of the region post-2003, and an in-depth analysis of the rhetoric found in the IS magazine "Dabiq".
Which keywords define this work?
Central keywords include Islamic State, colonialism, Sykes-Picot, Caliphate, and historical grievance.
How does the author interpret the Sykes-Picot Agreement?
The author argues that the agreement serves as a fundamental symbol of Western betrayal, which the Islamic State leverages to justify its attempt to break away from the "colonial condition."
What role does the "Ummah" play in the ideology of the Islamic State?
The IS uses the concept of a unified global Muslim community (Ummah) as a rallying cry, urging members to reclaim their dignity and sovereignty against what they perceive as enslavement by Western values.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2016, Does the Islamic State have a connection to the First World War?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/370949
