Hasan Özgür Top: The Mythology of the Islamic State

 

Advisor/tutor: Anselm Franke, Ana Teixeira Pinto 

August 2020

Abstract

In this study, an analysis is carried out on some of the propaganda materials released by the Islamic State between the years 2006 and 2020. The relation between the narrative themes used in these materials and mythologies is questioned, and the male-hero subject are defined. Through a comparison between these narrative themes and the rhetorics of different political movements, questions are raised on the organization's claim to be the only body to represent the muslims around the world and its position on the political spectrum. For the study, a total of 1114 videos published by the media organs operating under the Islamic State and 27 issues of the magazines Rumiyah, Konstantiniyye and Dabiq have been archived.