Al-Qaeda tries to trump ISIS, translates material into Tamil, Malayalam

Al-Qaeda's media outlet, the Global Islamic Media Front, has formed a new group to translate the group’s messages.

Chennai

: In a attempt to counter the propaganda drive by Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda is now translating its publications and propaganda materials into regional Indian languages such as Tamil and Malayalam.

According to reports, the terror group’s media outlet, the Global Islamic Media Front, earlier this month formed a new group to translate the group’s videos, messages and articles into the regional languages.

This is the first time that al-Qaeda has attempted to target youth from south India and Sri Lanka.

With pages like Tamil Ansar and Olivin Charathu targeting regional youths, the al-Qaeda has reportedly upped their social media reach, with counter-jihadists and hackers noting a visible rise in their online activity.

The Facebook page ‘Syria through Indian Eyes’ also regularly updates information on al-Qaeda and its activities in Syria in Tamil and Malayalam, while many pages also invite users for group chats in Telegram, an encrypted platform for having a secure conversation.

Experts point out that of the Indians who travelled for jihad to Syria and Afghanistan, majority joined al-Qaeda instead of ISIS, and many of them hailed from southern states. They are believed to be helping the al-Qaeda with the translation work.