Overview
"Ali al-Foutawi” is a Twitter propagandist and suspected recruiter for ISIS. He lists his location as “Sirte, Wilayat Rarablus, IS,” referring to the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Libya. Foutawi’s Twitter bio has read: “When I’m bored I count toes. Don't trust the media unless it’s IS media. Hijrah advice to IS Libya; Telegram/surespot - alfoutawi Baaqiyah! Bi idhnillah!”Ali Al Foutawi, Twitter, accessed August 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/AliFoutawi_III. He has referenced hijrah as fard (obligatory) for all Muslims:
He has also explicitly threatened Rome by claiming that ISIS has its “eyes” on the Italian city:
Al-Foutawi incites to violence by calling for attacks on kuffar (disbelieving) nations:
CEP suspects that Twitter has repeatedly suspended al-Foutawi’s accounts. On July 20, 2015, al-Foutawi tweeted about his previous Twitter account’s suspension and mocked the “nerds at Twitter Corp”:
Al-Foutawi propagandizes through tweets that mention the “khilaafa” (khilafa, or caliphate, a global Islamic empire) and the “supporters” that it requires:
He is a self-proclaimed poet and has tweeted verses of several of his poems, many of which revolve around hijrah (migration) to the so-called Islamic State. In one of his poems, which he says he wrote before making hijrah, al-Foutawi refers to the 72 virgins promised to a Shaheed (martyr) in paradise. He also refers to “daarul kufr,” (land of kuffar, or nonbelievers):
Al-Foutawi also posts photos of his meals, propagandizing for ISIS by depicting what he refers to as “good life” in ISIS-controlled Libya:
CEP suspects that al-Foutawi may be an active recruiter for foreign fighters hoping to fight alongside ISIS in Libya. Al-Foutawi may communicate with potential recruits via Kik and Telegram, two encrypted messenger services.
- @Alfoutawi_IIAli al-Foutawi, Twitter account, accessed July 31, 2015, hhttps://twitter.com/Alfoutawi_II.
- @AliFoutawi_IIIAli Al Foutawi, Twitter, accessed August 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/AliFoutawi_III.
- @Alifoutawi_IVAli al_kfrSLAYER, Twitter, accessed August 20, 2015, https://twitter.com/Alifoutawi_IV.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Propagandist, fighter, recruiter
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
History
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
In Their Own Words:
We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].
Mar. 2023