ISIS leader Abubaker Al Baghdadi released a new recording last Wednesday, August 22, titled "Give Glad Tidings to the Patient," in which he urged his followers all over the world to wage terrorist attacks, and to reassure his “followers” over the group’s recent losses in Syria and Iraq. 

The unverified recording was released on Al Furqan, the ISIS media center, and was circulated throughout the media. In his speech, Al Baghdadi also attacked Saudi Arabia by saying that the Kingdom “Is trying to secularize its inhabitants and ultimately destroy Islam.” He then urged the citizens of Saudi Arabia to overthrow their government, adding that “America is going through the worst time in its entire existence”. 

Al Baghdadi has not released a recording since last September.  “Those who forget their religion, patience, jihad against their enemies, and their certainty in the creator’s promise lose and are disgraced, But when they hold on to it, they are mighty and victorious, even if after a certain time” He said.  On July 12th, ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack on a security checkpoint in Buraidah, a city in Qassim Province north of the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  A Saudi security officer and a foreign resident were killed in the attack.  Al Baghdadi has been consistent in his attacks and incitement against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the reforms the Saudi government is pursuing. The ISIS leader is not the only terrorist figure to criticize the Kingdom for its reforms. In May, Al Qaeda published a bulletin that described religious reforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as “heretical,” and urged clerics to rise against “moderate, open Islam, which all onlookers know is American Islam.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains committed to uprooting all forms of extremism and terrorism and will remain a crucial partner in the war against terrorism. This week, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman addressed pilgrims from all over the Islamic world who are visiting Makkah to perform Hajj.  His Majesty the King reiterated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which encompasses the Qiblah (direction of prayer) and the Prophet's Mosque, and based upon its Islamic, regional and global stance, insists upon its firm stance in the fight against terrorism and extremism.  The Kingdom’s position is to eradicate them in all forms, and to adhere to Islam's noble message of tolerance.