A radical pro-jihad terror site has begun offering how-to tips and advice to would be Western recruits who are preparing to travel abroad to Syria and join up with the Islamic State (IS).
The website, Paladin of Jihad, has recently launched a series of posts that provide often bizarre and dangerous advice to Western men and women who are considering joining IS’s (also known as ISIS or ISIL) radical fight for dominance in the Middle East.
The guide, which has been running as a series since February, offers a broad range of assistance on what to expect when joining up with IS. The forum runs the gamut from tips on how to use the bathroom outdoors to workout routines, as well as what types of knives and accessories to pack in order to bypass airport security measures.
Much of the guide orients Western would-be jihadis with the radical way of life of IS recruits.
Such things as "outdoor inconveniences" receive much attention and are written about in lighthearted fashion meant to appeal to younger readers.
In one section entitled, "relieving oneself outdoors," the author instructs Westerners on how to use the bathroom outside while upholding Sharia law.
"You might be someone who has lived in the West all your life and have never used anything other than a conventional sit-down flush toilet to answer the call of nature (brace yourselves! Cringe euphemisms incoming!) and depending on how cosy [sic] the rock you live under might be (okay, is this is going to be a lighthearted piece?), you might not even know that other types of toilets exist and that "business" (#EuphemismWatch) can be taken care of outdoors," the post states.
"Allah … has not left the Muslims without guidance even concerning the issues of going to the toilet and issues of personal hygiene which should follow after relieving oneself," the anonymous author writes.
"Learn to squat if you don’t know how to. Below is a picture of a man squatting with correct form."
The "next progression level is to use rocks, leaves, straw, or anything that’s permissible to use by sharī’a (bones and dung are not permissible) and to specially avoid using any ‘luxuries’ such as wet wipes and tissue/toilet paper and water," according to the post.
Packing light also is key to becoming an effective jihadi, according to the site.
"Believe me, you will regret bringing that big photo album, your Xbox (you can learn to play some other kind of Call of Duty here," the author writes in a post about what to bring to the battlefield.
"For some reason, I’m guessing that travelling light might be extra hard for sisters, but I’ve been wrong before," according to the post, which recommends "packing a Glock or another firearm."
"Use your common sense," the author insists. "Be an intelligent Muslim. Don’t incriminate yourself."
Other items to bring include an Android tablet, an MP3 player ("for lectures and Quran"), a spork, hand lotion, and an external hard drive that can "‘hide’ all jihadi material you might be bringing."
The author also recommends "you to bring knives because they’re essential tools here."
In another post, "advice against being fat" and pre-travel workout tips are presented.
The author advises against going to a gym due to latent sexual tension that can negatively impact a practicing Muslim.
"These [gyms] are places where bodies get uncovered, bodies are ogled at, bodies are worshiped," the author writes. "Places where the cult of the physique is at its peak. Think about it. Are those places appropriate for you to prepare yourself to embark on such an honorable journey?"
"Unless you go to a segregated gym of some sort, it’s VERY difficult for you to lower your gaze (this applies to both brothers and sisters)," the post states.
Western recruits are urged not to take-up Krav Maga, a martial art used by Israeli soldiers.
"Please do not choose to take up Krav Maga since it was invented by the Jews and is just downright vile and repulsive, just like those who came up with it," the author writes. "The muwahhidīn who want to get their feet dusty for the sake of their Lord need not imitate the Jews."
The post goes on to recommend workout routines that can aid a person who is fleeing from bombs.
"You might be in an area which is being bombed and you would thus need to run or move very quickly. Maybe you will have kids under your care," the author explains. "Running whilst carrying a kid (little mujahid(a), in shā Allah) is no easy task."
"Also," the author continues, "you would definitely look more pleasing in the eyes of your husband if you are in great shape! (#MoistMoment)."
It is also advised that wannabe IS members practice a workout routine known as "convict conditioning," which uses only a person's body weight.