A Brief Guide to Islamic State (2015)

The natural progression for the transport network in the Islamic State has to be trains then ships and aeroplanes, but everything is on the table: zeppelins, hovercrafts, trams, microlites, cable cars or perhaps a new creation invented by some witty entrepreneur.

Manufacturing plants are probably also in the pipelines and will help the Caliphate become less dependent on foreign goods.

Technology in the Caliphate

They say that need is the mother of all creativity, and the battlefield has to be up there as one of the most powerful places for inspiration. The Islamic State’s turbocharged drive for conquest is unmatched, and there is absolutely no question that it will lead them to technological milestones.

You only need to look to their jaw dropping media releases, particularly from Furqan and Hayat, to see how far ahead of the game they are Each scene is beautifully crafted and has the ability to captivate and, most importantly, persuade.

However, it is not the Caliphate’s futuristic media wing that should set pulses racing, because the real place for hands on innovation lies more appropriately in the field of warfare. A quick glance at history shows that many of the day to day items we take for granted actually have their roots in the military, and computers are a great example of this, others include GPS technology and the microwave cooker.

As long as the Caliphate continues to wage jihad, and it has to, then the creative juices of inventors will flow and lead to bold advances. The recent deployment of a civilian truck that transforms into a rocket launcher in the Battle of Baiji proves how effective war is in stimulating innovation.

The natural progression for technology on the frontlines has to be, in my opinion, anti-aircraft artillery, and if the Caliphate is successful in producing something viable then it should be a real game changer.

The Islamic State’s deft use of media and hi-tech weaponry to further its aims also shows that Islam[16] is not an enemy to modern technology, and in many ways it has propelled the Caliphate brand into something that is stylish and cool.

Inside the Islamic State you will have access to the usual gizmos such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and of course the internet. Keep in mind that mobile networks are still in the making, but apps such as Skype, Kik, WhatsApp and Telegram, to name but a few, are great alternatives.

As far as the future is concerned, then renewable and non-renewable energy is one place where the Caliphate can move leaps and bounds. Nestled in an energy hotspot, Islamic State scientists will, no doubt, think of innovative ways to tap into the vast amount of resources locked in their surroundings including, amongst others, wind, sunlight, fossil fuels, timber, earth minerals, metal ores, and fresh water; however, this is just one idea amongst a sea of others, and I would still advise keeping your eyes firmly on the battlefields for the real movers and shakers.

People in the Caliphate

If you thought London or New York was cosmopolitan then wait until you step foot in the Islamic State, because it screams diversity. In my short time here I have met people from absolutely every walk of life, proof that the Caliphate’s pulling power is strong and tenacious.

The country has also become a magnet for talent It has been successful in recruiting skilled professionals that are crucial for state building. Scholars, judges, preachers, soldiers, doctors, data analysts, telecommunication experts, economists, mechanics, chefs, teachers, civil engineers etc. are just some examples that I can rattle off the top of my head, and are also real life examples of people I have physically met.

The Caliphate oversees the rapid influx of migrants with stunning control and successfully maintains the social order by adhering to the laws enshrined in the Quran[17] and Sunnah[18] — simple, but very effective.

I cannot see a Baltimore riot springing up here anytime soon and that is a dead cert, not because those in charge will deal with matters with an iron fist, but because there is no blur between right and wrong. What I mean by this is that citizens are not hypocritically led to believe that all cultures can coexist, and then have this belief torn apart by the bigoted reality on the ground. Everyone is judged with the right law (which is Islam), and told what is the truth (which is Islam), and the dangers and impracticalities of multiculturalism are well and truly nipped at the bud.

Another thing worth mentioning about the Islamic State community is hospitality. A muhajir carries a certain aura with him in the Caliphate, and the appreciation shown by the Muslims here for his emigration is palpable. The people of Iraq and Syria have gone through a lot, and the last thirty years have been particularly testing marred by dictatorships, crippling sanctions and brutal occupation.