Islamabad: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has brought out a song in Mandarin language with the aim of attracting Chinese youth to global Jihad.
Reportedly produced in Pakistan by Al-Hayat Media Center, the media arm of the ISIS using Mandarin-speaking artists, the four-minute song calls on Muslims in China or at least the Muslim men in that country to take to arms.
According to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors and tracks radical groups online, the song has been released and distributed through Twitter and messaging app Telegram.
The group’s chants, according to the Wall Street Journal, are known as “Nasheeds” (a cappella song extolling Islam) and the Mandarin language Nasheed urges Muslims to “wake up after a century of humiliation”, take up weapons to “rebel” in accordance with Allah’s command. The recording of a nasheed in Mandarin, as per the SITE is yet another example of the IS seeking to broaden its reach and support base.
An article published in The Diplomat says that while it is unusual for the ISIS to produce recruiting materials in Mandarin Chinese, this isn’t the first time they have mentioned China. It says that ISIS has identified China as one of 60 countries that is part of a “coalition of devils” while the United States remains the most obvious target and the focus of the video.The ISIS also sees China’s Muslim-dominant Xinjiang Province as one of the areas it would like to have territorial control over.
Last year, ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi had mentioned China first in a list of states where “Muslim rights are forcibly seized.”
While the Chinese foreign minister is quoted in the media saying that he is unaware of the song, the Chinese Government says that the ISIS threat is serious enough and estimates that about 100 of the country’s citizens are associated with the group. The Global Times, however, claims that the figure is closer to 300.
A rough translation of the lyrics is as follows:
“We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us.To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. A century of slavery, leaving that shameful memory. Deep in ignorant slumber, the nightmare continues on. A century of slavery, leaving that shameful memory. Deep in ignorant slumber, the nightmare continues on. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. To this day we guard the Koran and the Sunnah. No power can stop our progress. To this day we guard the Koran and the Sunnah. No power can stop our progress. To fight against those who fight you is Great Allah’s command. To take up weapons in rebellion is Muhammad’s order. To fight against those who fight you is Great Allah’s command. To take up weapons in rebellion is Prophet Muhammad’s order. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. The brilliance of Islam is etched in history. The purpose of our struggle is to let it shine again. The brilliance of Islam is etched in history. The purpose of our struggle is to let it shine again. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream.”
