When you thought ISIS couldn’t get any lower with their recruiting methods, the terrorist group launched a new app geared towards children. The application named Huroof teaches the Arabic alphabet with a "step-by-step walkthrough," games, and a nasheed (an a cappella Islamic song).
Caleb Weiss of theLong War Journalsays the lyrics of the nasheed are "littered with jihadist terminology." The application also contains militaristic terms like gun, ammunition, tank, and bullet. These are terms not normally taught for five-year-olds.
In the application’s press release, the group explained the purpose of the app, which is to teach "the cubs the alphabet letters." According toThe Guardian,ISIS calls their militants "lions" and their children "cubs."
The mobile tool is very kid friendly, using large cartoons, bright colors, and children’s toys to teach the alphabet and vocabulary.
An ISIS propaganda outlet launched the mobile application May 10 on the encrypted messaging service Telegram and other file-sharing websites.
Huroof is not ISIS’ first mobile tool. Earlier this year the terrorist group created an encrypted messenger application called Alrawi to make it harder for governments and security organizations to read their messages.
The terrorist group is well-known for using technology as a recruitment tool to reach wider audiences. In addition to having a "jihadist news feed" and a radio app, ISIS posts a variety of content on social media. "At least 70 percent of the content the Islamic State is putting out is first coming on Twitter," said Steven Stalinsky, executive director of the Middle East Media Research Institute.
Social media companies continue to try shutting down terrorist accounts, but success has varied.
Currently, Huroof can only be used on Androids.
