Real Wives of ISIS Try to Pull in Other Women for the Brothers [View all]

[Rhinodawg]

ISIS has proved to be adept at using social media, and the group’s female followers, particularly those from England, are no exception. Glancing at assorted tweets, Tumblrs, Instagram, Ask.fm pages and Facebook accounts of ISIS supporters, it’s initially tricky to distinguish between the online white noise of 15-year-olds in Wigan, an English town, who want to seem edgy by supporting the group, and genuine followers on the ground.

A closer look, however, shows a cadre of real ISIS followers who have made the hijrah and are leaving an online account of the day-to-day workings of life under ISIS. By adopting more everyday, accessible approach to their posts, the women have carved out a social media niche, composing listicles like “10 Marriage Facts From the Islamic State,” which was published by a blogger who goes by “Bird of Jannah,” referring to the Islamic name for heaven. The list includes details such as how the Euphrates is every newlywed’s favorite date spot, how every ISIS fighter gets seven days off and how ISIS gives newly married couples a gift of $700. Well, that last one was later changed to the more general:

“Dawlah will give money or gifts to every newly-married couple.”

These women broadcast their realities through social media much like anyone of their generation, using the platforms to make sense of their lives by sharing personal details and reflections in public. Their ability to be relatable has made these women a crucial part of the ISIS media machine. And just like their male counterparts, the women are fighting a running battle with the Twitter police, who frequently suspend their accounts


http://www.vocativ.com/world/isis-2/wives-isis-attracting-western-women-syria/