PROPAGANDA OF AL-QAEDA (La structure de propagande dal-Qaida)

According to the author recent research presented in some papers and conferences (for instance: Styszynski 2008 or some articles published on the Arabia.pl web-site) it should be pointed out that al-Qaeda organization has created a specific strategy of propaganda which seems to be similar to many terrorist groups operating in different parts of the world, especially in such countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia or Maghreb. It is obvious that many historical, political, social, religious, psychological and economic aspects should be taken into consideration in research on terrorism. However the present paper discusses the style of al-Qaeda's publications and statements, which have been appearing in the Internet during the years 2005-2008. The analysis is based on the contemporary theories of propaganda which apply to the Arab and Islamic world too. The research considers some stylistic forms and propaganda methods which have a strong impact on readers. The analysis is also focused on composition of the texts, selection of particular words and epithets as well as euphemistic expressions and specific argumentation. They also concern selection of the truth, exaggeration and insinuation in some descriptions and reports of the events as well as manipulation of the facts and Koranic verses. The examples presented in the paper prove that al-Qaeda organization created a specific kind of propaganda equal to different, scattered cells.