Al-Fajr Media (Arabic: الفجر وسائط, romanizedal-Fajr wasāʼiṭ) or Dawn Media is an Al-Qaeda affiliated media organization that was started in 2006 and was used by multiple Al-Qaeda affiliated organizations on Jihadist forums.[2][3][4]

Al-Fajr Media
الفجر وسائط
FounderAl-Qaeda[1]
Dates of operation2006–2016
Dissolved2016
StatusDefunct
Part ofAl-Qaeda
Designated as a terrorist group byUnited States

History

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Early years

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Al-Fajr Media started with memorials of dead members/leaders of Al-Qaeda and other Al-Qaeda affiliated groups and distributed the videos on Jihadist forums based in the Middle east and North Africa.[5] The organization also posted videos with Ansar al-Islam that call for Jihad.[6]

Al-Fajr also released an online magazine in 2006 entitled "Technical Mujahid" which focused on online security and technology.[7]

Al-Fajr released posters in 2006 inciting for people to spread them.[8]

Al-Fajr has also shown support for Palestinian Jihadist organizations and incited them to Jihad against Israel.[9]

Al-Fajr also in 2007 starts working with Islamic State in Iraq to report on new control of towns and cities in Iraq, and they also start reporting on "enemy attack".[10]

Al-Fajr also starts releasing books by Ayman al-Zawahiri to show support for Al-Qaeda and Ayman al-Zawahiri in early 2007.[11]

In late 2008, Al-Fajr Media created a Jihadist forum which was taken down abruptly after release, Al-Fajr did make a statement about the forum's shutdown.[12][13]

In December 2008, Al-Fajr recommended for Jihadist to "invade" the YouTube website and to spread Jihadist videos on there.[14]

Mid-years

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In 2010, Al-Fajr started a series called "Manufacturing Terrorism" for Jihadists online.[15]

In May 2011, Al-Fajr announced, with the permission of Al-Qaeda, of Osama Bin Ladin's death,[16][17] and incited for Jihadists to take "revenge" for Osama Bin Ladin's death.[18]

In February 2012, Al-Fajr released a women's magazine for Jihadist women.[19]

In September 2012, Al-Fajr releases a Technical Committee which revolves around app and website making for online Jihadists.[20]

Late years

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In late 2013, Al-Fajr releases a encryption application to encrypt messages when talking to Jihadists.[21]

In Mid-2014, Al-Fajr releases an encryption application for Android phones for Jihadists on phone messaging services like Telegram.[22][23]

In early 2016, Al-Fajr released a pasting website for Jihadists as an alternative for a pasting website like Pastebin.[24]

Designation as a Terrorist organization

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In 2016, when Al-Fajr Media became defunct, the United States officially called Al-Fajr Media a media center of Al-Qaeda and designated it as a terrorist organization.[4][25]

References

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  1. ^ "Al-Qaeda Affiliated Al-Fajr Media Company Establishes "Technical Committee" To Develop, Improve Jihadis' Technical, Encryption-Related Capabilities". MEMRI. September 19, 2012. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  2. ^ "Al-Qaeda Official Urges Patience Amidst Tribulation". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-08-05. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  3. ^ "Al-Qaeda Affiliated Al-Fajr Media Company Establishes "Technical Committee" To Develop, Improve Jihadis' Technical, Encryption-Related Capabilities". MEMRI. September 19, 2012. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  4. ^ a b "Foreign Terrorist Organizations' Official Media Arms and Violent Extremist Web Forums" (PDF). Reference Aid. 4 (4): 1. April 13, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022 – via Homeland security.
  5. ^ Whitlock, Craig (June 24, 2008). "Al-Qaeda develops powerful online voice". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  6. ^ "Al-Fajr Information Center Distributes a Video Inciting Jihad in East Turkestan". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-20. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  7. ^ "First Issue of the Technical Mujahid, a New Periodic Magazine Related to Technology and Internet Security Published by al-Fajr Information Center". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-20. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  8. ^ "Al-Fajr Information Center Distributes Posters Announcing Ansar al-Sunnah's Declaration of the Cessation of the Academic Year at Baghdad Universities". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-20. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  9. ^ "Al-Fajr Information Center Video Inciting Support for Palestine and Jihad". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-20. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  10. ^ "Islamic State of Iraq Provides Updates to Operations in Haifa Street, Claims Control of Access to Diyala, and Announces Standing Up to Enemy Attack". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-20. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  11. ^ lil_finga (2011-07-20). "Introduction to the Second Edition of "The Bitter Harvest", A Book Written by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri and Distributed by al-Fajr Information Center". SITE Intelligence Group. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  12. ^ "Al-Fajr Center Remarks on Forums Closure". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-21. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  13. ^ Knickmeyer, Ellen (October 18, 2008). "Al-Qaeda Web forums abruptly taken offline". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  14. ^ "Jihadist Suggests YouTube Invasion". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-21. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  15. ^ "Fourth Episode in al-Fajr's "Manufacturing Terrorism" Series". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-07-25. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  16. ^ "Al-Qaeda Confirms Death of Usama bin Laden". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-08-05. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  17. ^ "'Al-Qaeda statement' confirms Osama Bin Laden's death". BBC. 2011-05-06. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  18. ^ "Al-Fajr Media Center Incites for Revenge for bin Laden Killing". SITE Intelligence Group. 2011-08-05. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  19. ^ "Al-Fajr Releases Second Issue of Magazine for Muslim Women". SITE Intelligence Group. 2012-02-03. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  20. ^ "Al-Fajr Media Center Launches Technical Committee". SITE Intelligence Group. 2012-09-17. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  21. ^ Adam (2013-12-10). "Al-Fajr Media Center Releases New Encryption Program, "Amn al-Mujahid"". SITE Intelligence Group. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  22. ^ "Al-Fajr Technical Committee Releases Android App For Secure Communication, Announces New Website". MEMRI. June 11, 2014. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  23. ^ "Al-Fajr Media Center Releases Encryption Program for Android OS". SITE Intelligence Group. June 9, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  24. ^ tableau (2016-02-12). "Al-Fajr Media Center Launches Pasting Site as Alternative for Jihadists". SITE Intelligence Group. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  25. ^ "The Role of Social Media in the Evolution of Al-Qaeda-Inspired Terrorism". National Institute of Justice. September 5, 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.