The text in the image reads (from top to bottom): “mu’assasat al-furqan lil-intaj al-i‘lami tuqaddim al-isdar al-mar’iyy al-ra’i‘—hida’/huda’ al-shuhada’ 2 (“al-Furqan media foundation presents the excellent video production—the chanting of caravans of martyrs”). The title of the video is represented visually at the top with the image of a camel caravan on the horizon, driven by its riders to cross the desert dunes.
More Information
Group Name
AQI
Group Type
Jihadist Group
Dominant Colors
Golden Brown
Secondary Colors
Red
Language
Arabic
Isolated Phrases / Mottoes / Slogans
1) al-isdar al-mar'iyy al-ra'i` - hida'/huda' al-shuhada' 2 2) shahada
Image Number
0413
Groups Region of Operation
Middle East
Groups Country of Operation
Iraq
Date Image Created Online
28/05/2011
Weapons
Cold Weapons and Defensive Armor, Body Armor (including Gas Mask, Helmet), Firearms, Automatic / Assault Rifle, AK47, Sub / Machine Gun, Explosives, Grenade
Weapon Analysis
Light machine gun (RPK?)
Body Parts
Face / Bust
Air Analysis
Sun
Air
Celestial Bodies, Clouds / Fog, Sky
Fire
Light Rays / Light
Geopolitical Symbols
Symbol of party, movement or company, Slogan
Geopolitical Analysis
AQI/ISI/AQAP logo - black flag bearing shahada that includes the seal of the Prophet; and al-Furqan (AQI media) logo - white calligraphic representation of the word al-furqan in the shape of a mosque with a crescent on top.
People
Operative / Warrior (=mujahid), Man / Men
People Analysis
Deceased AQI fighters
Religious Textual References
Shahada, Use of Calligraphy
Religious Textual References Analysis
La ila illa Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah (including the seal of the Prophet)
Religious Symbols
Black / White / Green Banners, Seal of the Prophet
Fauna
Camel
Topography
Mountain, Desert Dunes, Horizon
Visual Themes
The dominant color in the image is the yellow of the title in the center, the rising sun and the background.
The preeminent symbol of Arab culture is the camel, as the camel made Arabian nomadic life possible. It was the favorite subject of pre-Islamic poets, and it is mentioned in the Qur’an as a sign of God’s creative power (Q 88:17). In jihadi imagery, camels are most often used to suggest a caravan. `Abdullah Azzam famously urged supporters to "Join the Caravan" (the title of an influential text on jihad) and the inclusion of camels in an image may evoke the idea of traveling to join jihad or the "caravan" of martyrs.
The preeminent symbol of Arab culture is the camel, as the camel made Arabian nomadic life possible. It was the favorite subject of pre-Islamic poets, and it is mentioned in the Qur’an as a sign of God’s creative power (Q 88:17). In jihadi imagery, camels are most often used to suggest a caravan. `Abdullah Azzam famously urged supporters to "Join the Caravan" (the title of an influential text on jihad) and the inclusion of camels in an image may evoke the idea of traveling to join jihad or the "caravan" of martyrs.
