This is an image produced by or for the Mujahidin Youth Movement. The image contains several familiar jihadi visual motifs, including an armed warrior figure positioned against a blue sky speckled with white clouds, as well as greenery in the background. The sky contains an outline of the African and Eurasian landmass, indicating the group’s global reach or aspirations.

The caption in the center of the image, directly under the armed figure, is a quote from the Qur’an (3:142): “am hasibtum an tadkhulu al-janna wa-lamma ya‘lamu Allah lladhina jahadu minkum wa-ya‘lam al-sabirin” (“Or did you think you shall enter paradise without God knowing who among you carried out jihad [and without] knowing those who are patient?”). The caption under the verse reads: Harakat al-Shabab al-Mujahidin (“Mujahidin Youth Movement”).

More Information
Group Name Shabakat al-Qimma al-Islamiyya (web forum/message board of al-Shabab) aka shabakada Islamiga ah ee al-Qimmah; the al-Qimma Islamic Network (translation)
Group Type Jihadist Group
Group Affiliation AQ Affiliates / Associates
Dominant Colors Green, Blue
Secondary Colors White, Black
Language Arabic and Somali
Isolated Phrases / Mottoes / Slogans (3:142): "am hasibtum an tadkhulu al-janna wa-lamma ya`lamu Allah lladhina jahadu minkum wa-ya`lam al-sabirin"
Image Number 0317
Groups Region of Operation Africa
Groups Country of Operation Somalia
Weapons Firearms, Automatic / Assault Rifle, AK47
Body Parts Face / Bust
Body Parts Analysis Masked
Air Clouds / Fog, Sky
Fire Light Rays / Light
Geopolitical Symbols Country / Regional Map, Symbol of party, movement or company, Slogan
Geopolitical Analysis African and Eurasian landmass. Harakat al-Shabab al-Mujahidin logo - green circle with yellow rim, in which appear an open Qur'an behind two crossed rifles and a calligraphic representation of the shahada over the Qur'an; and Shabakat al-Qimma al-Islamiyya logo - white circle, blue background on which appears an open Qur'an and calligraphic representation of the shahada.
People Operative / Warrior (=mujahid), Man / Men
People Analysis An armed fighter.
Religious Textual References Quranic Text, Quranic Citations, Text manipulation, Use of Calligraphy
Religious Textual References Analysis The verse is decontextualized which renders its meaning in the image solely about carrying out jihad, for what is clearly propaganda purposes. In its Qur'anic context however, the verse is part of a larger narrative about the importance of being responsible for one's own actions in front of God.
Flora Trees / Shrubs, Grass / Leaves / Branches Only
Topography Valley / Meadow

Stay Informed

Sign up to receive updates from CTC.

Sign up