Call(s) to Jihad: An analysis of ISKP audio propaganda

Executive summary

ISKP uses a diverse range of audio materials to communicate online via social messaging platforms, including nasheeds, audio books, (news) broadcasts, lectures, and podcasts. Audio materials constitute an important tool in the ISKP propaganda arsenal, through which the group conveys information, directives and narratives and as an alternative medium to written and visual content which is accessible, emotive, as well as easily shared among its global networks of virtual
supporters.

However, limited analytical work has been conducted on the content and quantity of ISKP audio propaganda. Analysis of trends, themes, and production of ISKP audio content can assist in further understanding the group’s operation and effectiveness, as well as inform counter-communications efforts.

This investigation examines an indicative sample set of audio propaganda shared by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in 2024 across Persian, Pashto, Tajik, and Uzbek language content. Analysing the narratives, purpose, quantity, and
forms of audio propaganda is useful for developing an assessment of ISKP communication strategies, as well as the group’s efforts in recruiting, radicalising, and mobilising its followers.

The findings are based on a qualitative and quantitative collection and analysis of audio propaganda (in the form of nasheeds, podcasts, lectures, audio books, and broadcasts) shared by Al-Azaim, ISKP publishing groups, and ISKP-affiliated
channels on Telegram, Rocket Chat, and Gemspace from 1 January – 31 December 2024. While the quantitative portion of the investigation was based on a sample of 939 pieces of audio materials, the qualitative section is representative, based on an overall reading of the audio propaganda produced by ISKP.

Main findings:

• ISKP uses different formats across its languages portfolio to share its audio propaganda, including: nasheeds, (news) broadcasts, lectures, official statements, podcasts, and audio books.
• 939 audio materials were collected from ISKP outlets, with 464 files in Pashto, 113 in Persian, 320 in Tajik, and 38 in Uzbek. The most popular outlet producing and sharing them was Al-Azaim with 45.3% of the total data collected. The most popular theme in ISKP audio materials was religion/ideology with 64.4% of the overall content.
• Purposes of audio materials include: educating listeners to ISKP’s ideology and core religious beliefs; recruiting, radicalising, and engaging with supporters and followers; strengthening in-group and out-group distinctions by placing blame on a specific ‘Other’ (or enemy); and mobilising supporters to carry out violent attacks.
• While audio propaganda on religion/ideology may not explicitly reference ISKP, some audios nonetheless subtly urge listeners to wage jihad. By appealing to existing religious sentiment among potential target audiences, religious and ideological audio materials can be understood asa first step in an individual’s radicalisation process.
• Given that ISKP’s reach spans across multiple different countries and linguistic backgrounds, the group produces audios which are both country and language-specific, aiming to reach supporters across its territory and among migrant communities globally. In doing so, ISKP relies on independent publishing groups producing content in various regional languages.
• The audio materials were also observed to utilise different registers and dialects to appeal to different demographics among language groups, particularly young men.
• In Persian and Pashto-language propaganda, lectures are not solely audio adaptations of pre-existing written texts, but are also produced as standalone audio pieces and released directly in this format.
• In Tajik-language propaganda, nasheeds disseminated by ISKP cover various themes, incorporating sentimental and religious vocabulary. These appear intended to evoke deep, lasting emotions, with the aim of supporting emotional wellbeing and connection to the group.
• Uzbek-language audio propaganda features both original content shared by the Uzbek branch of Al-Azaim as well as repurposed propaganda produced by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).
• Content across language productions included some differentiation in proportions of thematic areas. In Pashto, Persian, and Tajik-language audio materials, women did not constitute a significant theme in audio materials, whereas in Uzbek-language ISKP propaganda, two series of lectures were produced and tailored specifically for women audiences.

The table below summarises the five main narrative themes of visual content shared by ISKP, their corresponding characteristics, and purposes:

Afghan Witness (AW) has redacted most links and the names of Telegram channels due to privacy concerns and to avoid amplifying harmful content. Upon request, AW can share any relevant data.