How the Wives of ISIS Are Attracting Western Women to Syria

http://www.vocativ.com/world/isis-2/wives-isis-attracting-western-women-syria/

Women are joining ISIS at an ever-growing rate. Could online recruitment by current jihadi wives be a factor?

Author: Ruth Michaelson

Posted: 10/24/14 15:29 EDT

These are the words Umm Layth published on her Tumblr, “Diary of a Muhajirah,” meaning one who has made the “hijrah,” or journey to the Islamic State.

“You can find shampoos soaps and other female necessities here, so do not stress if you think you will be experiencing some cavewomen life here. …And lastly for the married sisters or soon to be married, bring makeup and jewellery from the West because trust me there is absolutely nothing here. …Unless you plan on looking like a clown ting.”

Umm Layth is a blogger from the north of Britain who is now living in the Syrian town of Manbij. She is one of a growing number of Western women who have gone to Syria to pledge their lives to ISIS—and the men of ISIS. Manbij, her new home, is a small town in the Aleppo governate, where images show squat concrete buildings adorned with the extremist group’s black-and-white logo. ISIS has controlled the town since January 2014.

Sometimes Umm Layth’s posts are more philosophical:

“We are created to be mothers and wives—as much as the western society has warped your views on this with a hidden feminist mentality.”

10/06/14 20:49 UTC@ummmuawiyahh

Sunrise in Bilaadul Izzah <3 a="" href="http://t.co/hER1aHqrTc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://t.co/hER1aHqrTc

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Another woman, who goes by the name of Umm Muawiyah, arrived in the area controlled by ISIS on Oct. 8, tweeting:

“Alhamdulillah [thank God]. I have made it to Dar al-Islam and am finally living under the shade of the Sharia. Join me my brothers and sisters.” 

Prior to the first photo from her travels into Syria, her Twitter timeline was a mixture of discussion about ISIS and jokes about having to study “the stages of a break up” for her A-levels, exams British students typically take when they reach 18 years old. On Sept. 21, she tweeted:

“Psychology a2 is so buff, guys.”

ISIS has proved to be adept at using social media, and the group’s female followers, particularly those from England, are no exception. Glancing at assorted tweets, Tumblrs, Instagram, Ask.fm pages and Facebook accounts of ISIS supporters, it’s initially tricky to distinguish between the online white noise of 15-year-olds in Wigan, an English town, who want to seem edgy by supporting the group, and genuine followers on the ground.

A closer look, however, shows a cadre of real ISIS followers who have made the hijrah and are leaving an online account of the day-to-day workings of life under ISIS. By adopting more everyday, accessible approach to their posts, the women have carved out a social media niche, composing listicles like “10 Marriage Facts From the Islamic State,” which was published by a blogger who goes by “Bird of Jannah,” referring to the Islamic name for heaven. The list includes details such as how the Euphrates is every newlywed’s favorite date spot, how every ISIS fighter gets seven days off and how ISIS gives newly married couples a gift of $700. Well, that last one was later changed to the more general:

“Dawlah will give money or gifts to every newly-married couple.”

These women broadcast their realities through social media much like anyone of their generation, using the platforms to make sense of their lives by sharing personal details and reflections in public. Their ability to be relatable has made these women a crucial part of the ISIS media machine. And just like their male counterparts, the women are fighting a running battle with the Twitter police, who frequently suspend their accounts.

09/21/14 19:02 UTC@ummmuawiyahh

TL hasnt been the same since everyones account got suspended

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