Haqiqah – “the truth” or “the reality” – is a new online magazine launched with the aim of “reclaiming the internet” from extremists. It has been created by British Muslim scholars who say they want to do more to educate young people about the reality of extremist movements. They say it is a direct response to the threat of radicalisation from groups such as Islamic State.
IS extremists have widely used social media to spread their message.
More than 100 imams gathered in London for the launch of the magazine, which has been started by the website Imams Online. ‘We will eventually drown out the violent voices’ says Shaukat Warraich, Chief editor, Imamsonline.com.
“Someone has to reclaim that territory from ISIS, and that can only be imams: religious leaders who guide and nourish their community,” according to Qari Asim, senior editor at imamsonline.com. “But now that we live in a digital mobile world, some young people are not coming to the mosque so we must reach out to them – and this is the Muslims’ contribution to combat radicalisation on the net,” he said. He termed the magazine a call to all Muslims to “log on, get informed, and share the magazine with all your friends and family online”.
