Mobilization of followers and visions for the future in IS. : A discourse analytical study of Dabiq Magazine, the propaganda magazine of Islamic State.

The aim of this study has been to find out what methods the Islamic State are using in order to mobilize their followers and strengthen the organization. The purpose of this essay has also been to find out what the dreams and visions the Islamic state has for the future. From a discourse analytical approach, the Islamic State propaganda newspaper Dabiq Magazine has been analyzed based on how well the material is consistent with Lincoln’s theories on cultural identity and Jameson’s theory on historical identities and myths. The results showed the Islamic state's conscious strategy of portraying itself as the religion’s only true interpreter and that religion holds a central domain of the collective identity as the Islamic State intends to create for the organization. The analysis also shows the Islamic state's dreams and visions for the future that are primarily manifested by the organization's power ambitions but also by apocalyptic references to prophecies from holy scriptures in the Quran