HIP-HOP and rap artists are teaching young Muslims the ideology of radical Islamism through songs about the war in Iraq, the oppression of Muslims and the creation of an Islamic state governed by Sharia, or religious law.
Intelligence agencies have identified music as a “tool for indoctrination”. The phenomenon began with an American group called Soldiers of Allah. The group has since disbanded but its music and lyrics remain popular on the internet. Other groups in Britain, France and the US have been identified as giving cause for concern. Many use the derogatory term “kufur” to describe non-Muslims.
Madeleine Gruen, an American intelligence analyst, highlighted the lyrics of a British group called Blakstone as a possible gateway to extremist politics. Ms Gruen has studied how music, internet forums, boardgames and fashion have been used to radicalise youths. She said: “The music is very persuasive because it is giving young people ideas, and those ideas are what might motivate someone to become a jihadi. The material is all in English. It’s spreading a radical message to domestic populations that don’t speak Arabic or Urdu.”
...From Close 2 Me, by Blakstone
No Khalifah [Islamic state] Where are we heading?
Without Islam weÂ’re stressing, implement AllahÂ’s blessing, thatÂ’s what I am addressing.
Apart from this kufur scheme. Bring Islam back to the scene. LetÂ’s unite the Ummah [Muslim nation], following only the Koran and the Sunnah.
Even if all the kufirs got together, they still couldnÂ’t stop this Ummah.
We love Islam More than we love life
From Bring Back Islam, by Soldiers of Allah