Legal Commentary

Al Qaida Launches Women's Magazine

By Jeralyn

Al Qaida has launched a magazine for women, called Al-Shamikha, which translates to "Majestic Woman." The first issue is a 31 page glossy.

The magazine's advice to women: Cover up and marry a martyr. Al Qaida's rationale behind the project:

"Because women constitute half of the population – and one might even say that they are the population since they give birth to the next generation – the enemies of Islam are bent on preventing the Muslim woman from knowing the truth about her religion and her role, since they know all too well what would happen if women entered the field of jihad... The nation of Islam needs women who know the truth about their religion and about the battle and its dimensions and know what is expected of them."

The Daily Mail says the first issue contains beauty tips as well as The magazine includes exclusive interviews with the wives of martyrs, who praise their husband's suicide missions.

Is it a new day for the global marketing of Jihad? Al Qaida has had some sophisticated marketing campaigns in the past. But do they reach anyone but the disaffected? Sounds like a lot of preaching to the choir to me.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 14, 2011 (boomark / email).