The dominant element in the image is the logo of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which appears here as a green banner with a crescent, a star and a sword. Though the group is removed from the Middle Eastern context, its logo contains familiar elements from the common Islamic symbolic system.

The logo also features the moon, which plays a pivotal role within the Islamic symbolic tradition. Specifically, the moon is laden with religious, astrological and spiritual significance, and it governs all daily life, as the Islamic calendar is a lunar one. In the narrower context of Islamic jihadi ideology, the moon is typically combined with images that signal notions of righteousness, afterlife and martyrdom. Here, it is combined with overt signals of belligerence, as represented by the color red, as well as the appearance of a sword. Even more than the image of a full moon, the image of a white crescent moon constitutes an overt symbol of Islamic identity that highlights notions of purity and religious piety. The white also evokes the notion of death, as it is the color of grief and mourning, the color of shrouds. Finally, the sword in the logo suggests a desire on the part of the designer to link the group to early Islamic history and the first generation of Muslims. Swords are seen as noble weapons that embody the religious purity, nobility and righteousness that is associated with the Prophet, his companions and their successful military campaigns. This helps depict current jihadi activities as modern extensions of those campaigns and lends them an aura of legitimacy.

The map in the image depicts the Philippines without bordering countries or bodies of water, and the Bangsmoro region is highlighted, evoking a regional context and scope of that specific jihad. This designates the region as an important theater for jihad, and implies a national obligation to join the struggle.

More Information
Group Name Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
Group Type Jihadist Group
Dominant Colors White, Red
Secondary Colors Green
Language English and Arabic
Isolated Phrases / Mottoes / Slogans 1) shahada 2) no to integration, no to unitary state, moro is a nation, uphold moro right to self-determination
Image Number 0263
Groups Country of Operation Philippines
Weapons Cold Weapons and Defensive Armor, Sword / Crossed Swords
Geopolitical Symbols Country / Regional Map, Non-country Flag, Symbol of party, movement or company, Slogan
Geopolitical Analysis Mindanao region of the Philippines. MILF flag. MILF logo - (form right to left) green banner bearing text of shahada over a Moro sword, red stripe, yellow crescent and star against white background
Religious Textual References Shahada, Use of Calligraphy
Religious Textual References Analysis La ila illa Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah
Religious Symbols Crescent, Black / White / Green Banners
Religious Symbols Analysis Green

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