Top 8 Videos That Counter ISIL

People are getting creative and making counter-narrative videos to challenge the terrorist group that calls itself Islamic State. Here's the 8 best ones from around the world. ISIL may be violent but the responses have been moving, inspiring, and often HILARIOUS!

Counter-narrative videos come in all shapes and sizes and the top 8 below show that very different things can be effective.

Some are focused entirely on the message to challenge ISIL's Islamist ideology, others address their would-be recruits' grievances, but others still expose and mock the terrorist organisation for how seriously they take themselves.

It is all good and well governments bringing in counter-terrorism legislation or increasing surveillance on suspected terrorists, but when it isn't entirely clear whether these things can really prevent the rise of groups like ISIL, the creative efforts of civil society to make counter-narrative videos like these are an important way to tackle terror too.

Ridiculing them with satire, inspiring others to challenge their influence, and working with families and communities to safeguard young people are all central to this work, as evidenced by these videos!

Groups all around the world are making videos like these but the list below shows that British Muslims are right at the forefront of the fightback!

1. Hilarious Jihadi Blooper Reel

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Syrian group Bidayyat have imagined what a jihadi group's blooper reel might look like with this satirical training video. Clutch that assault rifle all you like, but if you can't say "Death to the West" without mucking up your lines, no-one is going to take you seriously! It is pretty close to the bone it seems, with lots of stories coming out of the so-called Caliphate of people blowing themselves up by mistake and struggling to settle in with their fellow fighters.

2. British Jihadist Parody: Falafels and Kafirs

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British group Muslim Musings have made this parody featuring two UK Street ladz known collectively as "JiLadz" who talk openly about why Muslims must go and join ISIL. Watch them steadily destroy their own rationale! Counter-narratives come in all shapes and sizes and humour can certainly play a part in showing the inconsistent arguments extremists often spin.

3. #NotAnotherBrother

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Counter-narrative videos aren't just satirical. This moving film shows a British jihadist read out a letter from his brother, who apologises for inspiring him to join ISIL. This video shows how terrorist groups are tearing families and communities apart, and encourages British Muslims to challenge extremist ideas and stop their brothers joining ISIL. The longer version has been posted here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccv1o5uv4s0 and is on Twitter @NotAnotherBro

4. Abdullah X: Mind of a Scholar, Heart of a Warrior

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Abdullah X discusses the real meaning of jihad - a real theological counter-narrative, as part of his larger series to make British Muslims question the messages they hear from extremists. Using excellent cartoons and really accessible language, Abdullah X doesn't avoid any issue - ideology, grievances, narratives, identity crisis - and gives people the knowledge and power to make the right decisions in their lives. Abdullah X is on Twitter @TheAbdullahX

5. Diary Of A Badman

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Humza Productions and their programme Diary of a Badman show how effective counter-narrative videos can be when they engage with kids on the issues that affect them. This video "I'm a Muslim, not a terrorist" is a really important message and part of his larger really successful series. It has since been taken up by schools and has become really popular! He is on Twitter too @HumzaProduction

6. Countering Extremism Together

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This Quilliam video (in the interests of full disclosure, I work at Quilliam) takes a slightly different approach. It is all about raising awareness about the conflict in Syria and the negative role ISIL is having, worsening the already desperate plight of the Syrian people. It is a real tear-jerker, and its aim is not to counter extremism or ISIL per-se, but rather to encourage lots of people to join the collective societal response to extremism of all kinds. Quilliam is on Twitter @QuilliamF

7. Watan al Watar ISIL Parody Sketch

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This parody video, first played on Palestinian TV, shows a series of Muslims from different countries being targeted by the ISIL fighters. It shows their hypocrisy, the inconsistency of their arguments and their proclivity for in-fighting! Now with subtitles, people all around the world can see the excellent Arab sense of humour and how ISIL are increasingly the butt of all jokes.

8. Jihadi John Outtakes

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Not to be outdone, this Israeli video parodies ISIL's infamous murderer Jihadi John. With the iconic black and orange jumpsuits and the barren desert behind them, this video imagines how many takes ISIL would have needed to make their propaganda films. All humour risks offending people and, while we must of course be sensitive to the victims of ISIL's brutality, I'd suggest that ISIL themselves will be most offended by this chillingly accurate spoof video.