Dust off the dirt of laziness and break the shackles of the Dunya’: the language of female extremists in Daesh (ISIS) propaganda magazines

Taking a discourse historical approach to critical discourse studies, this study examines the narratives of female members of Daesh, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in online propaganda magazines. It discusses four themes: female members’ motivations for joining Daesh and the vulnerabilities that led them to do so; challenges female recruits have faced when travelling to the conflict zone; mistakes and transgressions committed by the female audience; and directives and recommendations to this audience, outlining their expected roles and responsibilities. Findings include the prevalence in this discourse context of discussions about discrimination and calls to abandon past beliefs, values, and practices. This study’s results provide insight into how the public, especially women, can be lured into joining violent, extremist causes, and may be useful in efforts to prevent violent extremism, ultimately aiding in the promotion of societal resilience against extreme ideologies.