ISIS has exploited the holy month of Ramadan to incite and justify violence, distorting the religious significance of a month traditionally associated with mercy, worship, and spiritual reflection. While Ramadan historically witnessed pivotal moments, such as the Battle of Badr and, in modern times, the October War, fundamental distinction exists between defensive wars waged to restore legitimate rights and terrorist acts that deliberately target innocent civilians. ISIS deliberately invokes early Islamic victories to frame its campaign of violence as a form of “jihad,” despite the broad scholarly consensus rejecting this interpretation.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that Ramadan would witness an escalation in attacks—a prediction borne out by incidents such as the Manchester Arena bombing, and the Orlando nightclub shooting, which was, at that time, the deadliest attack in the United States since 9/11 at the time. Reports have documented how extremist propaganda intensifies during Ramadan, portraying the month as a period when martyrdom brings multiplied rewards.
Statistics indicate that during Ramadan 2016 alone, terrorist operations killed at least 420 people and injured nearly 730 worldwide. Violence was not confined to Western targets; Muslim-majority countries were also severely affected, including a suicide bombing near the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina that resulted in the deaths of four Saudi police officers. Moreover, ISIS reportedly called on supporters who were unable to travel to Syria or Iraq to carry out attacks in their home countries, acting as so-called “lonely wolves”.
To conclude, ISIS issues such calls annually, particularly after territorial losses in Syria and Iraq, in an effort to project strength and mobilize followers. In doing so, it inflicts harm on Muslims worldwide and, deliberately manipulates religious texts to deceive recruits about the true teachings of Islam.