“He said that he and his wife, Nor Mahmudah Ahmad, left Malaysia on Jan. 26, motivated by a chapter of the Quran that predicts redemption and victory for Muslims before the end of times, under a messianic figure called al-Mahdi.” But surely he misunderstood the Book of Peace, no?
“From Syria, Malaysian Jihadist Gives Reasons for Joining IS,” BenarNews, September 11, 2015:
In an interview with BenarNews, Malaysian jihadist Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi expressed no regrets about abandoning his life back home to take up arms for the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.
“I must say that I do harbor the hope of returning to Malaysia, but it is not my priority as my focus now is to stay here and fight, to achieve my dream of defending the IS,” the 25-year-old said in a series of messages sent from the war zone via Facebook.
Wanndy is alleged to be one of two Malaysians in an IS video crew that filmed the beheading of a Syrian man. The video was posted on Facebook on Feb. 22, according to The Star, the Malaysian newspaper that broke the story in early March.
A still image taken from the video clip published with the story allegedly showed Wanndy crouching over the dead man’s body and smiling.
Compatriot Mohd Faris Anuar allegedly operated the camera and a third man, believed to be an Indonesian, held up the Syrian’s head and cried “Allahuakbar,” The Star quoted Malaysian counter-terrorism officials as saying.
“The video version of this punishment is for those who betrayed Islam. It’s a lesson for everyone,” Wanndy reportedly said in the video, according to Harian Metro.
‘Preparing for al-Mahdi’s rule’
Wanndy, who hails from Durian Tunggal, a small town in coastal Malacca state, did not immediately reply to questions about his alleged role in the killing.
He said that he and his wife, Nor Mahmudah Ahmad, left Malaysia on Jan. 26, motivated by a chapter of the Quran that predicts redemption and victory for Muslims before the end of times, under a messianic figure called al-Mahdi.
The couple traveled by train from Butterworth, in Penang state, to Bangkok, then flew to Moscow and to Istanbul – a popular disembarkation point for jihadists travelling overland to Syria, Wanndy said.He was communicating with BenarNews from an IS stronghold in Syria that was being bombarded from the air an average of four times daily by a U.S.-led international coalition, according to Wanndy.
“At this moment I am in Raqqah, Syria, and I will not turn away from my duty to fight for the establishment of the Islamic State’s Caliph leadership in preparing for the al-Mahdi’s rule,” he told BenarNews.
“Mahdi,” according to various sources, is an Arabic word that connotes a “divinely guided one” who will emerge to restore the purity of the Islamic faith and lead Muslims to victory against enemy forces before Judgment Day.
“The Islamic State (IS) is the movement which is making preparations for al-Mahdi rule towards the end of the world,” Wanndy said.
‘Thousands of excuses’
According to The Star, Wanndy and Faris were part of an IS unit made up of Malay-speaking jihadists from Malaysia and Indonesia. The 100-strong unit, named Majmu’ah al Arkhabiliy, was previously known as Katibah Nusantara, the Star reported, quoting Malaysian counter-terrorism special branch chief Ayob Khan Mydin.
Wanndy, who just celebrated the birth of a baby girl, criticized other Malaysians for being afraid to die for IS’s cause.
“These Malaysians come up with thousands of excuses to avoid dying as a martyr. When they return to Malaysia, they are screaming their lungs out for jihad, but, ironically, they fled from the battle,” he said.
In Syria, he has been fighting for IS alongside 80 fellow Malaysians, 11 of whom have died in combat, Wanndy added.
IS threat at home
Authorities in Malaysia and other countries vulnerable to IS recruitment have long feared that jihadists returning from combat tours in Iraq or Syria might plot attacks on home soil.
On Friday, the Royal Malaysia Police force issued a statement alerting the public to a threat made by IS through its online magazine, Dabiq. In it, the group called on its supporters to carry out terrorist attacks in several countries, including Malaysia.
“Police have been and will continue to take action to improve safety in all key asset areas of the country, including embassies and also places of public interest,” the statement read.
Since 2014, some 121 people suspected of links to IS have been taken into custody in Malaysia.
On Wednesday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced two Malaysians to two years’ imprisonment for supporting the Islamic State.
The court ordered that the sentences for architect Mohd. Syafrien Rasid and technician Mohamad Yusoffe Ishak, both 27, be retroactive to the date of their arrests at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Sept. 25, 2014, as they tried to depart for Syria, according to the state-run news agency Bernama….
According to attorney Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi, who represented Yusoffe, his client had had no religious education and only knew about the meaning of jihad through social media and the internet.
“This has led him to misunderstand the real meaning of ‘jihad,’” he said.
‘Driven to despise the U.S.’
A shallow understanding of Islam has left other Malaysians vulnerable to IS recruitment, Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Director-General Othman Mustapha told BenarNews.
“Their lack of understanding on the religion has caused them to derail from the true teaching … Muslims must seek the true Islamic teaching to quash the IS propaganda, particularly pertaining to the martyr issue,” he said….

Incek Mahallesi says
It’s Semeru!
Bwahahahahahaha!
Incek Mahallesi says
“Malaysian jihadist Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi”
So, uh…did he use a light saber to chop the head off?
__________________________________________
Man, these goofy Mozlems and their goofy names. You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried.
Azacque says
The RC church members do the same, every male is first Joseph and female is first Mary, often silenced by the second given name.
Holy Prophet APF says
Yeah, but Joseph and Mary by all accounts were fine people. Have you seen the yellow sheet on the Holy Prophet Mohammed? And *that* is by the accounts of the Islamic scriptures.
I’m not sure what the RC is, but based on this I know who wins by comparison.
Angemon says
Holy Prophet APF posted:
“I’m not sure what the RC is”
I’m certain it’s Roman Catholic.
Jay Boo says
Azacque
I believe you are referring to baptismal names which has no equivalence here to Muslims.
Incek Mahallesi says
“every male is first Joseph and female is first Mary, often silenced by the second given name.”
____
Born Catholic. Baptised on day 3. No Joseph in there, at all, being silenced. First name, middle name and surname stand. Some include confirmation names, but not many.
I’ve never heard of this “Joseph and Mary” business as baptismal names, but hey – educate me.
__________
Now…back to that Jedi Business.
Angemon says
Can we get Anna Kinberg Batra to go there and explain the Malaysian authorities how the returning jihadis are the real victims?
Don McKellar says
Is Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi in the new Star Wars movie? One of the henchmen on the Dark Side of the Force?
Lovely family portrait.
No Fear says
Most muslims say that such people are “misunderstanding” the Quran. If so, then the Quran should come with a non-violent explanation of all the violent verses. Where the Quran says “cut off their hands and feet” the explanation says “invite them in for a coffee” or “have a beer with them”.
Similarly Mein Kampf should come with non-violent explanations. e.g. where Mein Kampf says “…the personification of the devil as the symbol of all evil assumes the living shape of the Jew.” it should have an explanation saying “Adolf was really saying that Jews are nice people and you should invite them over for dinner”.
Zimriel says
Caption: “What not to wear at your prom”
AASA says
Syria becomes the land for frustrated muslims who believes that they could understand Q’ran
Malaysia where the religion is so well spread has to play a better role in spreading the religion
by introducing philosophy and more knowledge to his people –
Jack Diamond says
Predictions of a “messianic” mahdi come from hadith, nevertheless they are authoritative:
fatwa: Issued in Mecca by the Muslim World League (Rabitatul `Alamul Islami) on Oct. 11, 1976 (23 Shawwal 1396): “The memorizers (Hafiz) and scholars of Hadith have verified that there are authentic (sahih) and acceptable (hasan) reports among the traditions related to al-Mahdi. The majority of these traditions are related through numerous authorities (Mutawatir). There is no doubt that the status of those reports are Sahih and Mutawatir. (They have also verified) that the belief in Mahdi is obligatory, and that it is one of the beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama’a. Only those ignorant of the Sunnah and innovators in doctrine deny it.
Another example of the apocalyptic fervor (and belief in End Time prophecies being fulfilled in Syria) drawing the lemmings to ISIS.
Azacque says
HOLY PROPHET, aNGEMON ANDJjAYBOOL
lOVE ALL YOUR’ COMMENTS, THANKS.
abad says
Um, really?
Gee, if he never said that I’d have thought it was a Donald Duck comic book that led him to join the Islamic State
/sarcasm
abad says
Um, really?
Gee, if he never said that I’d have thought it was a Donald Duck comic book that led him to join the Islamic State
Dave says
How long before he’s dead and she’s trying to skulk home dragging that little mini jihadist behind her?
Truth Seeker says
Whatever Engraved at Preadolescent stage can’t be Erased from the Mind. For Example, it is Taught, ‘Bull Delivers, and if any one disagree, Bucher him/her for which the Reward is Jannah (Islam’s Paradise). After growing up also the fellow will continue Blabber, Bull Delivers. He/she will not believe even if he/she happens to know, ‘Cow delivers’.
This principle is adopted to teach Muslim Children. Thereby they believe they are 100% Right in Butchering Innocents as per their Conscience. And if the Butchering is not Done he/she will Lose Jannah!
Who can Stop this?