The Management of Savagery: The Most Critical Stage Through Which the Umma Will Pass

by Abu Bakr Naji, William McCants (Translator)

In 2014 the extremist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria claimed territory in Syria and declared itself a state. But, as Ambassador Abdullahi Alazreg writes, the conflict between the Muslim Middle East and the West has existed for centuries. In recent decades, young Muslims across the globe have flocked to support Muslim countries when those countries have been attacked. The political failure of Middle Eastern governments and misguided Western intervention has created power vacuums that lead to extremism and violence.
As a Sudanese ambassador who has served in the West, Alazreg has a unique global view of Muslim issues. He shares his findings with clarity and great passion as he makes an effort to understand - though never condone - ISIS' rising presence in the Middle East. His use of meticulous research and personal interviews should go far to debunk ISIS myths common in the West.
Though ISIS is steadily moving from an ideology to an actual state with territory controlled, Alazreg makes it clear that, more than a physical war, we are in a war of ideas. Therefore, only superior ideas will win. Rather than more futile battles and foreign entanglements, the West should act on principles of justice, equality, and charity. Because ISIS permits only a narrow interpretation of Islam, it is not suited for our changing times. Extremism of all kinds can only be defeated if both the West and East, together and independently, work to build and expand human rights.

About the Author Ambassador Abdullahi Alazreg has a B.Sc in economics with a minor in political science and a master's degree from Lincoln University in Sociology. For more than twenty-five years he has been a diplomat. He has served as Sudan's ambassador to the United Kingdom and Bulgaria, as well as other posts.
Alazreg is married with five children. He is an avid reader and a poet. He has also contributed articles to multiple Sudanese publications. He is a former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sudan.

Genres: Islam, Middle East, War

268 pages, ebook

First published May 23, 2006

About the author

Mohammad Hasan Khalil al-Hakim aka Abu Bakr Naji, aka Abdullahi Alazreg and aka Abu Jihad al-Masri, "The Egyptian (who is) father ofthe struggle".

Abu Bakr Naji was Propaganda Chief of Al Qaeda.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 1 out of 5]

A manual for ISIS.
"[t]his book was written by former al-Qaeda Chief of External Operations his alias Abu Jihad al-Masri and his real name was Muhammad Khalil al-Hukaymah" Ina Cawl, a very interesting GR friend.

[Ina Cawl]

Mein Kempf Of Terrorism

this book was written by former al-Qaeda Chief of External Operations
his alias Abu Jihad al-Masri
and his real name was Muhammad Khalil al-Hukaymah
he is Egyptian former al-Qaeda memeber who lost his life in one of earliest Drone attacks in Pakistan in 2008.

as the name suggest this book talks about savagery and how savagery can create a new nation even in this time
this book is really a hand guide for how to dismantle modern nation states and create in their ruins a medieval nation state based on common faith not Nationality
the first chapter talks about the degree of savagery that Terrorist must practice and how this savagery can help them in terrorizing their enemies( this example became true when 800 of ISIS fighters defeated 70 thousand heavy armed police and army because they were too scared to fight them)
these three words can describe ISIS general strategy in fighting( vexation and exhaustion and establishment) and by establishment he means an Islamic state

all in all this book is really dangerous book and is blue print from which ISIS and all other terrorist groups derives teaching from

[Pj Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. It's mostly just a rehash of classic Maoist Insurgent doctrine that uses Islamic History as a precedent for potential actions.

I'm not Muslim, so much of the Islamic Lore and philosophy is lost on me, however it's mostly used as an eclectic mix of justification and evidence for potential success so the actual strategic philosophies are pretty straight forward.

I think it helps to understand the nature/manner of action that ISIS has been using .

[Mr. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've just read and only 5 reviews, so now my turn! For me it's drivel, drivel of a mad man but on the other side this boon is a mix of Mein Kampf (sort of) and a practical handbook for revolutionary from Middle East or urban guerrilla.

The author tries to describe his point of view and how some things should be done for example fight against USA. The book contains a lot of discussions about foreign affairs but there is no useful information about Islamic point of you.

This book is famous due to the author (past or present). He was the Al Qaeda member but if we look closely on any terrorist nowadays they came from Al Qaeda or were linked to somebody or trained with somebody in Al Qaeda training camp, so it's a commercial logo as i assume in 2-4 years any terrorist will be linked with ISIS as it has more power today than Al Qaeda. So to cut the story end I must give a summary with few thoughts:

1) The book doesn't describe why and how terrorist do their things, it describes only the point of view of one man and his thoughts about it;

2) It's hard to read if you are not into Islamic word as the author always add or mention Islamic leaders of the past and quoted them;

3) You should read this book if you are interesting in the way and mechanisms of business of terroristic groups and how they manipulate the basic ideas of Islamic word for their profit but of course you can't see this openly in the text it gives you a slightly hint to observe it

[Radu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the text has some issues regarding the English translations at points (grammatical errors, linguistic drifts, etc) the book nonetheless illustrates the overall strategy numerous militant jihadi groups have used since the turn of the millennium; provoke the West into an entrenched conflict in the Middle East, attack the economic infrastructure (at home and abroad) to make the conflict increasingly costly for the West, promote conditions necessary for recruitment and so forth.

In this regard, the book is nothing remarkably earth-shattering but definitely a concise compilation of articles relating to the Maoist-like strategy of asymmetrical warfare Al-Qaeda and other similar groups have been using for decades, disburse with Islamic scripture, philosophy and historical references as justification.

[Manuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this document focus on Islamic extremism, the underlying principles and tactics it describes are applicable to a broader range of radical movements, regardless of their religious or political orientation. For instance, the strategies outlined here bear a striking resemblance to those employed by groups like Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in Peru and even certain Mexican drug cartels. Reading it provides a crucial look into the radical mindset, regardless of the group's specific beliefs.

[Sami Eerola · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a ISIS manifesto and tactical manual. Impressive academic wrigthing style for such a barbaric terrorist organization. This is like a islamic version of Machiaveli's "The prince" in its tactical ingenuity and ruthlessness.

[Marika Kakaladze]

highly recommended !! <3

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Oilgulp]

Translation was kind of word-y, I don’t know if the original was like that.

[Matthew Giobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for today. Outline for the strategy and goals of jihadists.