The Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) for the past several years has called for increased terrorist attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. At the time of this writing, we have already seen 9 horrible terrorist attacks since around the beginning of Ramadan. Most notably the suicide bomb killing 22 innocent civilians at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. So let’s take a look into why the Islamic State ramps up attacks during their holiest month, even if it means harming innocent civilians and children.

Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic Calendar. This year it runs between May 26th to June 24th. Yes, many of the Muslim faith in Muslim dominant countries use a different calendar than we do, the Islamic calendar. This calendar is based upon moon phases, rather than the sun, therefore it is about 10 days shorter than the system we use here in the United States. It first started in our year 622 AD, so in many Muslim countries it is currently year 1438. Ramadan Mubarak is the traditional greeting during this month, and simply translates to “blessed Ramadan” .

So what occurs during Ramadan? Ramadan is a holy month because this is believed to be the month that the Quran was revealed. During this month they believe the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed. Those of the Muslim faith are required to fast during daylight hours for the entire month (as well as abstain from any type of drinks, smoking, and sexual activity). Pre-dawn and after sunset gatherings and meals are served. Prayers are also increased to the point where the whole Quran will be recited once the month is completed. All of this groundwork leads us to the fact that it is a belief that good actions and prayers bring a greater reward when conducted during Ramadan. Salafi-jihadist such as IS just have a very different view of “good actions”.

In the past Ramadan was seen as a peaceful time when even warring factions of world leaders and rebel groups would conduct cease-fires. Now, the Islamic State has literally declared “all out war” on western countries as well as Middle Eastern countries. They have issued these statements via YouTube, their news outlets, and websites. This has all been conducted under the belief that these acts and vicious styles of martyrdom will earn an increased reward. Even if it means attacking innocent civilian women and children.

In 2014, now slain IS spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani called for these types of attacks, leading the way to more attacks on “soft targets”. Traditionally attacks are conducted on government, security forces, or military targets. Now horrific attacks on women and children are permissible if they are intermingled with men. They have even claimed that attacks with children fatalities and casualties are in retaliation to children killed in Syrian airstrikes.

That style of attack has been evident by the most visible Ramadan time period attack, the suicide bombing by Salman Abedi at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England that killed 22 individuals and injuring over 100. Just the type of pop venue that would be and was packed with teenagers and families. Then in Iraq on May 29, IS conducted twin bombings. The first occurred in the evening outside of a popular ice cream parlor as families were breaking their Ramadan fast. The attack killed around 15 and injured over 30. The second occurred earlier that morning outside a government pension office as several older adults were lined up to receive their retirement checks. This attack killed around 12 and wounding over 40 people. The Islamic State, a Sunni group, claimed these attacks were directed towards gatherings of Shia muslims. Then in Egypt, IS gunmen opened fire on a bus full of Coptic Christian families killing 28 individuals and wounding dozens more.

Since the start of Ramadan, they have also conducted attacks more associated with their traditional ways. The worst attack so far occurred in the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul. In the early morning rush hour traffic on May 31st, a semi truck laden with explosives blew up in the Kabul economic and embassy district. This is an area full of government workers from several different countries. The attack killed over 100 and injured over 450 people. One of the deadliest attacks since the Afghan War began. No one has claimed the attack at the time of this writing, but IS or the Haqqani Network, a close associate of the Taliban, are the major suspects. Sandwiched on either side of that attack, Taliban suicide bombers conducted attacks at security checkpoints near Khost and Jalalabad, Afghanistan killing 18 and 7 security personnel respectfully.

Most recently, we had another terrorist attack in London. They drove a van into a crowd of pedestrians on the London Bridge, and then proceeded to stab a bunch of people in nearby Borough Market. All three attackers were killed by the police. But not before they were able to kill 7 people and wound around 50 more. The Islamic State did claim responsibility for the attack. Using vehicles and knifes as weapons for attacks has also been called for, as they are easier to obtain.

As you can see if you go through the article and do a rough count, since around the start of Ramadan we have seen over 920 individuals killed or injured. The fact remains, we still have a few weeks to go. Especially with Laylat al-Qadr approaching. Laylat al-Qadr, or the “Night of Power”, is the holiest night of the year for Muslims. It typically occurs on the 27th night of Ramadan. Many consider acts or prayers given on this night being equal to 1,000 months of activity. Unfortunately we could see increased attacks as this day approaches.

As previously described, the Islamic State has called for increased attacks during Ramadan for years, and this year is no different. Although no matter the organization, the salifi-jihadi ideology of a greater reward for attacks during Ramadan is heinous and incorrect, and used as a great excuse to wreak havoc and terror. Havoc and terror that includes the killing of the innocent people, including the elderly, women, and children. Hopefully we will not hear of any more terror attacks as the month progresses, as unfortunately the news seems to be filled with them in the past few weeks.

Sources:
Alkhouri, Laith, “ISIS suicide bomber at Jalalabad security checkpoint”, NBC News, 6-1-2017
Amarasingam, Amarnath; Winter, Charlie, “ISIS’s perverse, bloody interpretation of Ramadan”, TheAtlantic.com, 5-26-2017
Bergen, Peter, “It could be a long, deadly Ramadan”, CNN.com, 5-31-2017
Daftari, Lisa, “ISIS issues call for “all out war” in the west during Ramadan”, The Foreign Desk, Reuters, 5-25-2017
Daftari, Lisa, “UK police hunt Manchester bombers network, angered by U.S. leaks”, The Foreign Desk, Reuters, 5-25-2017
Donati, Jessica; Amiri, Ehsamullah; “Taliban suicide bomber kills at least 18 in Afghanistan”, Wall Street Journal, 5-27-2017
Gilbert, David, “ISIS takes credit for ice cream shop bombing in Baghdad”, Vicenews.com, 5-30-2017
Ingel, Richard; Smith, Alexander; Johnson, Alex; Siemaszko; “Manchester Bomb Suspect Said to Have Ties to al-Qaeda, Terrorism Training Abroad”, NBCNews.com, 5-23-2017
Katz, Rita, “ISIS isn’t done targeting kids after Manchester attack”, thedailybeast.com, 5-23-2017
“London attack: Police ‘know identities of killers’”, BBC News, 6-5-2017
Mashal, Mujib; Abed, Fahim; “Kabul bombing kills at least 80, shaking city center”, New York Times, 5-31-2017
Religions:Ramadan, BBCNews.com
Qiblawi, Tamara; Tawfeeq, Mohammed; Mackintosh, Eliza; “ISIS targets the young, then the old in twin Baghdad Bombings”, CNN.com, 5-30-17
Zaimov, Stogan, “ISIS targets children in Ramadan attack killing 31 in ice cream shop bombing”, christianpost.com, 5-30-2017