IS directed, instigated and inspired attacks in four continents including in Asia. In Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, where IS infrastructure is intact and growing, IS groups, cells and personalities mounted attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.

Islamic State’s global campaign during the holy month of Ramadan included Southeast Asia. The scale, magnitude and frequency of attacks worldwide from Turkey to Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia during Ramadan (6 June-5 July 2016) was driven by the call of IS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani: “Get prepared, be ready to make it a month of calamity everywhere for the non-believers!” He also oversees the external operations wing of IS.

The spate of attacks during the Ramadan period was driven by the erroneous belief that to be good Muslims they must join, support and participate in the activities of Islamic State (IS) that is purportedly fighting for Islam and Muslims. As Ramadan is a month dedicated to piety and good deeds, the call by IS to attack the enemies of Islam and Muslims during Ramadan is not only misguided but also revitalised the threat.

… Rohan Gunaratna is a Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and editor, Handbook of Asia-Pacific Terrorism, Imperial College Press, London 2016.