Dabiq (magazine)

{{Short description|Online magazine of the Islamic State, 2014–2016}}

{{Infobox magazine

| title = Dabiq
{{nobold|{{noitalics|{{lang|ar|{{Script/Arabic|دابق}}|rtl=yes}}}}}}

| image_file = Dabiq-English-number-one.jpg

| image_size = 200px

| image_caption = Cover of the July 2014 issue (The Return of Khilafah) in English

| category = Online magazine

| firstdate = {{Start date|df=yes|2014|7|5}}

| founder = Islamic State

| circulation = Worldwide (deep web)

| publisher = Al-Hayat Media Center

| finaldate = {{Start date|df=yes|2016|7|31}}

| frequency = Variable; one issue every 54 days on average

| format = Jihadist propaganda

| country = Iraq and Syria

| based = Raqqa, Syria

| language = English (primarily), Arabic, German, French

}}

Dabiq ({{langx|ar|دابق}}) was a Raqqa-based online magazine of the Islamic State, published via the deep web from July 2014 to July 2016 (Ramadan 1435 to Shawwal 1437). One of the many forms of Islamic State mass media, it partook in religious outreach to Muslims around the world, ultimately seeking to gain new recruits for the "caliphate" by encouraging Muslims to immigrate to Islamic State territory. In addition to Arabic, the magazine's content was written in a number of different languages, including English.

The magazine was named after the town of Dabiq, Syria, which is believed in Islamic eschatology to be the primary location where the Muslims will fight and bring about Jesus Christ (‘Isa ibn Maryam) and the fall of the Anti-Christ (al-Masih ad-Dajjal) (see Al-Malhama Al-Kubra), preceding the Day of Judgement.

Details

Dabiq was published by IS via the deep web, although it was widely available online through other sources.{{cite web|url=http://www.smartweek.it/da-inspire-a-dabiq-ecco-come-nascono-i-magazine-jihadisti|title=Da Inspire a Dabiq, Ecco Come Nascono i Magazine Jihadisti|author=Niccolò Battaglino|date=18 October 2015|publisher=Smartweek.it|access-date=5 February 2016}}{{cite web|author=Alessandria Masi|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/isis-propaganda-magazine-dabiq-sale-amazon-gets-taken-down-1961036|title=ISIS Propaganda Magazine Dabiq For Sale On Amazon, Gets Taken Down|work=International Business Times|date=6 October 2015|access-date=5 February 2016}}{{citation|url=https://jihadology.net/category/dabiq-magazine/ |title=Jihadology Dabiq issues|work=Jihadology|date=31 July 2016|access-date=25 April 2019}}{{cite web |author=William Bigelow|url=http://www.vocativ.com/251207/paris-attacks-mastermind-brags-about-escaping-crusader-intelligence/|title=Paris Attacks Mastermind Brags About Escaping "Crusader Intelligence"|publisher=Vocativ |date=16 November 2015|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226154542/http://www.vocativ.com/251207/paris-attacks-mastermind-brags-about-escaping-crusader-intelligence/|archive-date=26 February 2017|url-status=dead}} The first issue carried the date "Ramadan 1435" in the Islamic Hijri calendar.{{cite news|last1=Fraser|first1=Giles|title=To Islamic State, Dabiq is important – but it's not the end of the world|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2014/oct/10/islamic-state-dabiq-important-not-end-of-the-world|access-date=12 October 2014|work=The Guardian|date=10 October 2014}} According to the magazine, its name was taken from the town of Dabiq in northern Syria, which is mentioned in a hadith about the End Times.{{cite news|title=Dabiq: What Islamic State's New Magazine Tells Us about Their Strategic Direction, Recruitment Patterns and Guerrilla Doctrine| newspaper=Jamestown |url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/tm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=42702&cHash=0efbd71af77fb92c064b9403dc8ea838|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|date=1 August 2014|access-date=18 August 2014}} IS believes Dabiq is where Muslim and infidel forces will eventually face each other,{{cite news|author=Terrence McCoy|title=The apocalyptic magazine the Islamic State uses to recruit and radicalize foreigners|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/09/16/the-apocalyptic-magazine-the-islamic-state-uses-to-recruit-and-radicalize-foreigners/|access-date=12 October 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=16 September 2014}} and that after the Crusaders' forces are defeated, the apocalypse will begin.[https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wants/384980/ "What ISIS Really Wants"]. The Atlantic. Retrieved 22 November 2015 Every issue of Dabiq contained a quote attributed to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi: "The spark has been lit here in Iraq, and its heat will continue to {{nowrap|intensify{{tsp}}{{mdash}}}}{{tsp}}by Allah's {{nowrap|permission{{tsp}}{{mdash}}}}{{tsp}}until it burns the Crusader armies in Dabiq".{{cite web|url=http://www.raqqa-sl.com/en/?p=1289|title=Islamic State and the Others|date=1 July 2015|website=raqqa-sl.com|access-date=23 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019130701/http://www.raqqa-sl.com/en/?p=1289|archive-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

Harleen K. Gambhir of the Institute for the Study of War considered that while al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's magazine Inspire focuses on encouraging its readers to carry out lone-wolf attacks on the West, Dabiq was more concerned with establishing the religious legitimacy of IS and its self-proclaimed caliphate, and encouraging Muslims to emigrate there.{{cite web|title=Dabiq: The Strategic Messaging of the Islamic State|url=http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Dabiq%20Backgrounder_Harleen%20Final.pdf|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|date=15 August 2014|access-date=18 August 2014}} In its October 2014 issue, an article outlined religious justifications for slavery and praised its revival.Salma Abdelaziz. (12 October 2014). [http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/12/world/meast/isis-justification-slavery/ "ISIS states its justification for the enslavement of women"], CNN.[http://www.newsweek.com/islamic-state-seeks-justify-enslaving-yazidi-women-and-girls-iraq-277100 "Islamic State Seeks to Justify Enslaving Yazidi Women and Girls in Iraq"], Newsweek, 13 October 2014Athena Yenko, [http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/569402/20141013/islamic-state-dabiq-magazine-isis-slavery.htm#.VD7r9EnD_Gg "Judgment Day Justifies Sex Slavery Of Women – ISIS Out With Its 4th Edition Of Dabiq Magazine"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018222114/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/569402/20141013/islamic-state-dabiq-magazine-isis-slavery.htm|date=18 October 2014}}, International Business Times-AustraliaAllen McDuffee. (13 October 2014). [https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/isis-confirms-and-justifies-enslaving-yazidis-in-new-magazine-article/381394/ "ISIS Is Now Bragging About Enslaving Women and Children"], The AtlanticRichard Spencer. (13 October 2014) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11158797/Thousands-of-Yazidi-women-sold-as-sex-slaves-for-theological-reasons-says-Isil.html "Thousands of Yazidi women sold as sex slaves 'for theological reasons', says Isil"], The Daily Telegraph.

IS used its Dabiq magazine to express its strong opposition to groups including Christians,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31648888|title=Islamic State's position on Christians|work=BBC News|date=27 February 2015|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite web|author=Umberto Bacchi|title=International Business Times: Isis magazine Dabiq Threatens 'Rome Crusaders' Flying Islamic State Flag at Vatican on Front Cover |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-magazine-dabiq-threatens-rome-crusaders-flying-islamic-state-flag-vatican-front-cover-1469712|work=International Business Times|date=13 October 2014|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|author=Yaron Steinbuch|title=ISIS: 'The whole world will be an Islamic state' |url=https://nypost.com/2014/10/14/isis-the-whole-world-will-be-an-islamic-state/|newspaper=The New York Post |date=14 October 2014|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/vatican-isis-pope-terrorist-st-peters-obelisk-swiss-guards-papa-paolo-435714|title=Has ISIS set its sights on occupying the Vatican?|author=Jay Reed|date=12 March 2016|work=Newsweek|access-date=22 April 2016}} Jews,{{cite news|url=http://www.albawaba.com/news/isil-says-its-flag-will-wave-over-jerusalem-and-saudi-arabia-626153 |title=ISIL says its flag will wave over Jerusalem and Saudi Arabia |date=26 November 2014|work=Al Bawaba|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Islamic-State-vows-to-reach-Palestine-and-kill-the-barbaric-Jews-372796 |title=Islamic State vows to reach 'Palestine' and 'kill the barbaric Jews'|author=Lev Selmon|date=30 August 2014|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url= http://www.christianpost.com/news/isis-apocalyptic-magazine-vows-to-attack-israel-us-troops-as-it-conquers-persia-rome-and-arab-states-126543/|title=ISIS' Apocalyptic Magazine Vows to Attack Israel, US Troops as It Conquers Persia, Rome and Arab States|author=Michael Gryboski|date=17 September 2014|work=Christian Post|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/why-jihadis-targeting-christians-449250 |title=Why are Jihadis targeting Christians?|author=Milo Comerford|date=20 April 2016|work=Newsweek|access-date=22 April 2016}} Hindus,{{cite news|author=Harshita Dhyani|title=ISIS planning two-pronged attack on India, target Hindus: Dabiq|url=https://www.newsaura.com/isis-planning-two-pronged-attack-on-india-target-hindus-dabiq/1103|work=Newsaura|date=14 April 2016|access-date=2 January 2017|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618053030/https://www.newsaura.com/isis-planning-two-pronged-attack-on-india-target-hindus-dabiq/1103|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title='Hindus need to be targeted in mass numbers in India,' says militant in Islamic State magazine|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/hindus-need-to-be-targeted-in-mass-numbers-in-india-says-militant-in-islamic-state-magazine-2729056.html|work=Firstpost|date=14 April 2016|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012084341/http://www.firstpost.com/world/hindus-need-to-be-targeted-in-mass-numbers-in-india-says-militant-in-islamic-state-magazine-2729056.html|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=dead}} Shia Muslims{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/new-issue-of-isis-magazine-dabiq-calls-for-war-on-muslims/|title=New issue of ISIS magazine Dabiq calls for war on ... Muslims|author=Perry Chiaramonte|date=21 January 2016|work=Fox News|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/isis.declares.war.on.enemy.worse.than.west.its.fellow.muslims.belonging.to.shia.sect/77390.htm|title=ISIS declares war on enemy worse than West — its fellow Muslims belonging to Shia sect |author=Shianee Mamanglu-Regala|date=23 January 2016|work=Christian Today|access-date=22 April 2016}} and the Muslim Brotherhood.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-threatens-europe-with-further-attacks-while-celebrating-blessed-brussels-bombings-in-dabiq-a6982121.html|title=Isis threatens Europe with further terrorist attacks while celebrating 'blessed' Brussels bombings|author=Lizzie Dearden|date=13 April 2016|work=The Independent|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-hearst/its-open-season-on-the-mu_b_9750654.html|title=It's open season on the Muslim Brotherhood|author=David Hearst|date=21 April 2016|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/islamic-state-slams-apostate-muslim-brotherhood-new-magazine-1090598949|title=Islamic State slams 'apostate' Muslim Brotherhood in new magazine|date=13 April 2016|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=22 April 2016}}

In September 2016, IS replaced Dabiq with another online magazine, Rumiyah (Arabic for Rome), published in English and other languages. Analysts speculated this was due to IS being driven out of the town of Dabiq by the Turkish Military and Syrian Rebels in October 2016. The new title refers to an Islamic prophecy about the fall of Rome.{{cite magazine|url= http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/12/after-the-islamic-state|author=Robin Wright|title=After the Islamic State|magazine=The New Yorker|date=2 December 2016|access-date=7 February 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/town-of-dabiq-falls-to-turkish-backed-forces.php|title=Town of Dabiq falls to Turkish-backed forces|publisher=The long War Journal|date=17 October 2016|access-date=7 February 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-islamic-state-children-iraq-syria-western-targets-a7485316.html|author=Kim Sengupta|title=Isis indoctrinating children to plan attacks on Big Ben, Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=7 February 2017}}{{Cite web|url= http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISW%20The%20Virtual%20Caliphate%20Gambhir%202016.pdf|title=The Virtual Caliphate: ISIS'S Information Warfare|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|access-date=7 February 2017}}

Issues

class="wikitable sortable" ! Issue !! Cover titleEnglish-language cover titles !!Date (Hijri)Islamic Hijri calendar, used by Dabiq !Date (Gregorian)!! Publication frequencyDays from previous edition
{{center\|1}}	"The Return of Khilafah"	Ramadan 1435 \|5 July 2014
{{center\|2}}	"The Flood"	Ramadan 1435 \|27 July 2014	22
{{center\|3}}	"A Call to Hijrah"	Shawwal 1435 \|10 September 2014	45
{{center\|4}}	"The Failed Crusade"	Dhul-Hijjah 1435 \|11 October 2014	31
{{center\|5}}	"Remaining and Expanding"	Muharram 1436 \|21 November 2014	41
{{center\|6}}	"Al Qa'idah of Waziristan: A Testimony from Within"	Rabi' Al-Awwal 1436 \|29 December 2014	38
{{center\|7}}	"From Hypocrisy to Apostasy: The Extinction of the Grayzone"	Rabi'Al-Akhir 1436 \|12 February 2015	45
{{center\|8}}	"Shari'ah Alone Will Rule Africa"	Jumada al-Akhirah 1436 \|30 March 2015	46
{{center\|9}}	"They Plot and Allah Plots"	Sha'ban 1436 \|21 May 2015	52
{{center\|10}}	"The Law of Allah or the Laws of Men"	Ramadan 1436 \|13 July 2015	53
{{center\|11}}	"From the Battles of Al-Ahzāb to the War of Coalitions"	Dhul Qa'Dah 1436 \|9 September 2015	27
{{center\|12}}	"Just Terror"	Safar 1437 \|18 November 2015	101
{{center\|13}}	"The Rafidah from Ibn Saba' to the Dajjal"	Rabi'Al-Akhir 1437 \|19 January 2016	62
{{center\|14}}	"The Murtadd Brotherhood"	Rajab 1437 \|13 April 2016	85
{{center\|15}}	"Break the Cross"	Shawwal 1437 \|31 July 2016	109