ISIS Starts to Use Kittens for Recruiting New Members

The Islamic State has started to use kittens for recruiting new members.

An image of a terrorist with a kitten from the 15th issue of Isis’ Dabiq propaganda magazine

The terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS) expands the arsenal of methods of recruitment of new adherents, the Muslimpress information website reported on Wednesday.

Due to terrorist nature of its activities, the Islamic State has the image of a cruel, aggressive and bloodthirsty group. However, as we can see, the organization has decided to soften and humanize its extremist image and adopted unusual methods of recruiting new members to its considerably thinned ranks.

A photo of a terrorist with a kitten has been published in the latest issue of Dabiq magazine, which is used by IS for the propaganda and recruitment of new supporters in the West. A piece, entitled ‘Contemplate the Creation’, says that the kitten approached the terrorist named Abul-Harith ath-Thaghri and jumped in his lap. As Muslimpress noted, IS wants to use the sympathy of Internet users to the subject of cats and show that nothing human is alien for IS fighters, as well as they are not so terrible if kittens are not afraid of them.

According to the Deputy Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College London, Shiraz Maher, “the use of softer imagery is common in ISIS propaganda aimed at Muslims.”

Judging by the latest videos, released by ISIS, the expert concluded that the Islamic State has headed for the softening of its image in the public eyes.