Jihadi Audiovisuality and its Entanglements: Meanings, Aesthetics, Appropriations

This book explores how Jihadi groups and their supporters use visualisation, sound production, and aesthetic means to articulate their cause online and offline, examining how they appropriate traditional and popular cultural expressions and how political activists oppose and resist extremist media.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

ISIS, often referred to as a terrorist organization, has successfully utilized social media platforms to empower its supporters and reinforce its message. In order to explore this phenomenon in depth, this book presents a comprehensive examination through 12 case studies. The chapters delve into the diverse methods employed by Jihadi groups and their followers to articulate their cause both online and offline. The book is organized into four thematic sections, each exploring how Jihadi groups appropriate traditional and popular cultural expressions and how political activists leverage extremist media to oppose and resist propaganda. By conceptualizing militant Islamist audiovisual productions as part of global media aesthetics and practices, the authors shed light on the intricate ways in which religious actors, artists, civil society activists, global youth, political forces, security agencies, and researchers engage with mediated manifestations of Jihadi ideology. This exploration aims to deconstruct, reinforce, challenge, or oppose the messages conveyed by these productions.

Introduction:
The rise of ISIS as a global threat has highlighted the importance of understanding the strategies used by terrorist organizations to spread their message and recruit followers. Social media has become an essential tool in this regard, providing a platform for ISIS to communicate with its supporters and promote its ideology. This book aims to examine the various ways in which Jihadi groups and their supporters use visualisation, sound production, and aesthetic means to articulate their cause in online and offline contexts.
Visualization:
Visualization plays a crucial role in Jihadi communication, as it allows groups to present their message in a visually appealing and engaging way. Through the use of videos, images, and infographics, ISIS can convey its message in a way that resonates with a wider audience, particularly young people who are more likely to be influenced by visual media. For example, ISIS has produced a series of high-quality videos that showcase its military training, executions, and attacks on Western targets. These videos are often edited to include music, special effects, and dramatic storytelling, making them more appealing to viewers.
Sound Production:
Sound production is another important aspect of Jihadi communication, as it can enhance the emotional impact of their messages. ISIS has used music, chanting, and religious slogans to create a sense of unity and belonging among its supporters. The use of music in particular has been effective in conveying a sense of power and resilience, as it can evoke strong emotions and create a sense of camaraderie among followers.
Aesthetic Means:
Aesthetic means, such as art and design, are also used by Jihadi groups to promote their ideology. ISIS has produced a range of artistic works, including paintings, sculptures, and posters, that depict the group's military victories, religious symbols, and the suffering of Muslims around the world. These works are often designed to be visually striking and emotionally powerful, making them more likely to resonate with viewers.
Case Studies:
The book includes 12 case studies that explore the different ways in which Jihadi groups and their supporters use visualisation, sound production, and aesthetic means to articulate their cause. These case studies cover a range of topics, including the use of social media platforms, the production of propaganda videos, the appropriation of cultural expressions, and the use of music and art to promote the group's ideology.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive examination of the ways in which Jihadi groups and their supporters use visualisation, sound production, and aesthetic means to articulate their cause in online and offline contexts. By conceptualizing militant Islamist audiovisual productions as part of global media aesthetics and practices, the authors shed light on the intricate ways in which religious actors, artists, civil society activists, global youth, political forces, security agencies, and researchers engage with mediated manifestations of Jihadi ideology. This exploration aims to contribute to our understanding of the challenges posed by extremist media and the strategies used to counter them.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474467520