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ISIS’ Leader Declares Himself Caliph And Speaks At Mosque

By C. J. Refsland on July 6, 2014 • ( 0 )

The word “caliph” is derived from the Arabic word khalifa (خليفة ḫalīfah/khalīfah) meaning “successor”, “substitute”, or “lieutenant”. Caliph is said to translate to “deputy (or representative) of God.” It is used in the Quran to establish Adam’s role as representative of God on earth. Khalifa is also used to describe the belief that man’s role, in his real nature, is as khalifa or viceroy to Allah. The word is also most commonly used for the Islamic leader of the Ummah-meaning nation or community.

On June 29, the Sunni jihadist group ISIS who by force have gained control of large areas in both Syria and Iraq who in a lightning offensive, declared a “caliphate”, which is a pan-Islamic state last seen in Ottoman times, (the leader controls both politically and religiously based on the Koran, Islamic Sharia law).

At the time of their declaration, the group changed their name to Islamic State, or ‘IS’. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi self-proclaimed himself as head of this new caliphate. This man was formerly detained by the U.S. at Camp Bucca, the largest of America’s two prisons in Iraq. Upon it’s closure in 2009, he was released and handed over to the Iraqi’s who then let him go. U.S. soldiers who took part in the exchange claimed that al-Baghdadi told them, “I will see you in New York.”

ISIS, one of the worst terror groups in the world, is known both in Iraq and Syria for its brutality, executing and crucifying opponents. It is claimed that even al Qaeda disavowed ties with them because of their harsh form of extremism. The group has attracted thousands of foreign fighters, including many from Western countries.

A man purporting to be Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi emerged to lead Friday prayers at Mosul’s Great Mosque this week as “Caliph Ibrahim”, the first time the secretive, notoriously jihadi has made such a public appearance.

Choosing the first Friday prayer service of Ramadan in a bold display of power in the city of Mosul that the Sunni Islamists have now controlled since June 10th. In a sign of how serious a threat this group is, police took off their uniforms, dropped their weapons and ran when they saw the brutal jihadi’s approaching. “We can’t beat them. We can’t. They are well-trained in street fighting, and we’re not,” one officer, whose identity was withheld, told Reuters. “We need a whole army to drive them out of Mosul.”

Speaking from the balcony of the mosque, al-Baghdadi urged the world’s Muslims to flock to the Islamic caliphate across Syria and Iraq declared by his organization last week.

Under his direction, the Islamic world would be returned to “dignity, might, rights and leadership” announced the self-anointed “Caliph”.

“Baghdadi’s project is already more successful than bin Laden or Zawahiri’s. bin Laden had to attach himself to the Taliban in Afghanistan to be part of a state. Baghdadi has created a state by himself,” said Mr. Tamimi. “This has been taken to the next level.”

His public appearance at the main mosque in Mosul appears to make a statement and legitimize him as an Islamic leader and to slight the Iraqi and American governments that have been hunting him for years.

His apperance proved false the reports that he had been injured or killed in an airstrike.

U.S. officials have said they believed Mr. Baghdadi was in Syria, and the Islamic State leader’s appearance in Mosul shows the limits of American intelligence on the group.

“Baghdadi had to make a move like this, making a public appearance after announcing himself caliph,” said Aymann Jawad Al Tamimi, a researcher on jihadist movements and a fellow at the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum. source

Since proclaiming the caliphate, the Islamic State has promised to sweep away state borders and redraw the map of the Middle East.

Map of the proposed regions of an Islamic state, translated into English.

It is unlikely the majority of Muslims will vow an allegiance to the jihadi leader, but concerns grow of escalating terror attacks not only in the Middle East, but globally.

Though the contents were said to be confirmed by experts and witnesses, the Iraqi government is claiming the video is a fake. Again we see media and government’s claiming evidence as not truthful. Which is reminiscent about the back and forth reports about Bin Laden and Alqueda. Meant to confuse? This is very significant, & very serious.