Military Review English Edition March-April 2016 | Page 22

Raqqa: Capital of Daesh
During World War II, western archaeologists uncovered fresh ruins of Harun’s palace in his northern capital
of Raqqah.21
—Nabia Abbott
It is no coincidence that Daesh selected the Syrian
city of Raqqa as its capital. Raqqa was the home of
the fifth Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rashid, or “Aaron
the Rightly Guided.” Harun moved the caliphate from
Baghdad to Raqqa and “took an active interest in the
further development of the city, with its new canals
and palaces and other surrounding estates.”22 The
Abbasid caliphate got its name from Mohammad’s
uncle named Abbas. The Abbasid caliphate ushered
in the Islamic Golden Age and building boom as the

region prospered.23 By using Raqqa as its capital, Daesh
wants to profit from its historic significance and from
the pride that Muslims have toward this period in their
history. Many believe their new caliphate will achieve
similar success and prosperity.

Abu Qasim: The Messenger of Islam
Do not be bothered with him; he will die without descendants and that will be the end of his mission.24
—A critic of Mohammad
During his lifetime, Mohammad was referred to as
Abu Qasim, meaning “father of Qasim.” Qasim was the
name of his firstborn son, who died young.25 If Qasim
had lived, however, there would likely be no Shia or
Sunni schism for Daesh to propagate because Qasim
would have taken over at Mohammad’s death (instead
of Abu Bakr). Mohammad had four daughters and four
sons, all from his first wife Khadija, but only one child
survived him—his daughter Fatima.26 Fatima married
Mohammad’s cousin Ali, later the fourth caliph, and
they had two sons, Hassan and Hussein.
Mohammad fought in various battles, where he
received some of the revelations that comprise the
Quran. Details surrounding his death are controversial;
numerous accounts attribute it to poisoned meat.27
After Mohammad died, a rift developed between
Fatima and her stepmother Aishah, as Fatima thought
Ali should succeed Mohammad instead of Abu Bakr.
This is where the word Shia comes from, meaning “followers of Ali.” This rift is still felt today in the SunniShia schism. The Iranian al-Quds force commander,
Qasim Suleymani, likely was named after Mohammad’s
son who died, as the Shia revere his family members.

The Quran
You are incorrect. Every surah has the bismillah.28
—Muslim military officer

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

The former Mosque of the Prophet Younis ( Jonah) in Mosul,
Iraq, which Daesh jihadists demolished 25 July 2014.
20

As Daesh correctly stated in Dabiq magazine, many
Islamic “people are ignorant of their religion and they
thirst for those who can teach them and help them
understand it.”29 Daesh capitalizes on this ignorance in
its propaganda, including audio and video statements,
magazines, and chants called nasheeds. The study by
March-April 2016  MILITARY REVIEW