The image is the logo of the Indonesian jihadi web forum “Forum Jihad al-Tawbah.” The logo consists of a number of common elements: an upward pointed finger, which is a gesture carried out during articulation of the shahada (Islamic testimony of faith holding that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger); a black banner bearing the shahada; and an AK, which, together with the upward pointing finger, flanks the mast of the black banner.
The black banner traces its roots to prophetic times. According to hadith (prophetic tradition or report), the black flag was the battle flag of the Prophet Muhammad and it was carried into battle by many of his companions. The image of the black flag, usually bearing the shahada, has been used as a symbol of religious revolt and engagement in battle (i.e., jihad). In the contemporary Islamist movement, the black flag is used to evoke notions of jihad and of reestablishing the Islamic Caliphate.
Notably, the pointing finger, flag and AK appear behind the top left corner of a black laptop and stand against a red globe. Jihadi visual propaganda uses images of the globe/planet earth in order to globalize localized issues and conflicts, as well as to articulate the global aims/nature of the jihadi struggle and/or particular groups. Here it is the laptop, a metaphor for the electronic arena, that appears against the globe in the background. This highlights that the internet and electronic media are important theaters of jihad and underscores the link of online supporters with the militant jihadists.
