On November 22, 2018, the first edition of a pro-Islamic State (IS) magazine in Indonesian, was published through an Indonesian media, named Hanifiyah Media.

It is a monthly publication, which is now in its third edition varying between 40 to 50 pages long. The magazine has no title and draws its heading according to the theme it covers each month. The first was Zhahirina ‘Alal Haq (we are on the righteous path); the second, Fie Sabilillah (in the cause of Allah); and the latest, Ansharullah (supporters of Allah).

The three pro-IS editions have communicated systematically to raise readers’ awareness of “counter-IS propaganda” and “disinformation” (fake news) about the group.

The editions attempt to project IS’ credibility and authenticity through religious and emotional appeals.

… Syed Huzaifah Othman Alkaff is an Associate Research Fellow with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. Jasminder Singh is an alumnus of RSIS. This piece first appeared in RSIS Commentary.