Coronavirus may be wreaking havoc on people all over the world, but if there’s a bright side, it’s that it also may reduce some terrorism activities for the time being, as ISIS leaders have instructed jihadists to avoid the “the land of the epidemic,” and for those already infected, to stay there.
In its official weekly al-Naba newsletter, the terror group gives instruction on how “to deal with epidemics,” highlighting the need to “put trust in God and seek refuge in Him from illnesses” and comments on “the obligation of taking up the causes of protection from illnesses and avoiding them.”
ISIS said “the healthy should not enter the land of the epidemic and the afflicted should not exit from it,” according to blogger Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Jihadists should "flee from the one afflicted with leprosy as you flee from the lion."
Additionally, ISIS concerned itself with proper hygiene practices as well, offering tips such as covering coughs and sneezes.
It's the thing you've all been waiting for...the Islamic State's advice on dealing with the #CoronavirusPandemic. Full translation here on my blog with explanatory notes: https://t.co/MHeJobS7D0
— Aymenn J Al-Tamimi (@ajaltamimi) March 12, 2020
ISIS pores over religious texts. Comes out in favor of putting your trust in God but also in favor of quarantine, hand-washing & running from the sick like from a lion. Their rivals in Qom stopped after No. 1. Thx to ?@ajaltamimi? for his translation https://t.co/b08Jffvj6t
— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) March 13, 2020
This is beyond satire. #ISIS warns against non-essential travel due to #coronavirus. Should we assume the Jihadis will work from home? Avoid crowded places like checkpoints &
— Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) March 14, 2020
markets? Disinfect surfaces on suicide belts, knives, detonators etc? I don’t mean to be glib, but.. https://t.co/SQ9yrsSht4
ISIS put up a travel advisory to Europe, warning jihadists of the coronavirus. You know it’s serious when people who literally want to die don’t want to die.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 16, 2020