Social Identity Theory (SIT) and the Construction of the In-and-Out Group Narrative in "The Alienation of Muslims in Al-Andalus"

Authored by: Rene de Klerk and Cara Rau 

Screenshot from Al-ʿUqāb Magazine

Bottom Line Up Front

A new Islamic State-supportive media outlet, Al-Iman Media Centre has emerged in online chatrooms. At the time of writing (1 June 2026), the Centre has released the first issue of its magazine and has advertised the second issue in its chatrooms. 

The magazine is called "Al-ʿUqāb", which means "The Punishment" and is a staggering 84 pages long. Issue 1 features numerous articles covering various themes such as the Sudan war, the Gaza conflict, and colonisation in Africa. 

The magazine features an article titled "The Alienation of Muslims in Al-Andalus", providing what the magazine frames as the perspective of a Muslim in modern-day Spain. 

The release of this magazine comes after the media outlet released the below poster apparently urging attacks against the Pope, who represents the wider Christian community, and the upcoming Soccer World Cup. Additionally, its release also comes in the wake of a major counterterrorism operation in May 2026 across Spain where at least ten individuals across the provinces and regions of Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, Murcia, and Madrid were arrested on charges related to Jihadist terrorism. Costa Blanca FM reported that, according to Informacion, several of the arrested individuals were of Chechen and Eastern European origin and that an illegal marijuana farm was also discovered in Calpe. Drug trafficking and distribution is a known financing mechanism for terrorist groups. 

This blog post briefly examines how "The Alienation of Muslims in Al-Andalus" employs social identity theory (SIT) and the construction of the in-and-out group narrative. 

In Detail

The principle themes contained in the article, "The Alienation of Muslims in Al-Andalus", appear to construct a rigid separation between the "persecuted Muslim believers" (the in-group) and the "persecutor secular Western states, such as Spain" (the out-group). 

Theme 1: Positive Distinctiveness

SIT holds that individuals have the desire to view themselves and their in-group as superior to the out-group. This is clear in the article where it is argued that Spain targets Muslims and "those who refuse to assimilate". In the text, the authors make a distinction between "Secularised Muslims" and "Monotheists" by labelling secularised Muslims as "diluted" and the Monotheists as the “true believers”. Indeed the choice of the word “diluted” is noteworthy, likely an attempt to present “secularised Muslims” as weaker than “Monotheists”. This distinction leads to the construction of a hierarchy within the Muslim community itself. Specifically, the text appears to argue that suffering "psychological intimidation" by Spanish authorities for being a Muslim, proves one is a "child of the house" who embraces the "true" Islam, whereas those who assimilate into Spanish culture are "traitors." This means that the text uses the concept of hostility from the out-group to validate the in-group’s identity, while also invalidating the Muslim identity of the Muslims who do not “suffer” at the hands of the Spanish authorities. 

Theme 2: "Meta-Stereotyping" and the "Traitor" Narrative

SIT utilises various meta-stereotypes to position what the in-group believes the out-group thinks of them, and how the out-group perceives the in-group. Meta-stereotypes are important in identity-shaping, as it creates expectations of hostility and rejection. The traitor narrative is a manner of boundary policing. It is a mechanism where in-groups identify and reject members who appear to collaborate with or assimilate into the out-group - enforcing ideological purity and preventing defection.

In the article, the authors claim that the Spanish state perceive “new Muslims” - converts to the religion, especially those converting from Christianity - as traitors to the West. Further claims are made that individuals are placed under an “intelligence microscope” for uttering the Shahada (the fundamental declaration of the Islamic faith, and essential in converting), and that the homes of those practising the faith are raided by the state - implying that all Muslim homes are subject to unprovoked, unfounded raids by the state. Furthermore, there are claims that the families of new Islamic converts report them “to the authorities”, and that they face “constriction” from their families and livelihoods, supposedly to “dissuade” these individuals from their religion. This position includes family members as part of the enemy apparatus, and that boundaries should thus be placed between the convert and their family who could possibly betray them. The authors claim that only those who fit the “secularised” version of Islam are accepted by the Spanish state, but that these “secularised” individuals are ones who have abandoned vital principles of Islam - including Al-Wala' wal-Bara', or “Loyalty and Disavowal”. This is the guideline for how a Muslim should structure their lives: their complete allegiance and loyalty toward Allah and the Ummah (Muslim community), and the complete dissociation, rejection and disavowal from anything that is contrary to Islam. 

These claims create a reactive identity as emphasis is placed on the threat that the in-group faces from the out-group. The state is claimed to be anti-Islam and oppressive, thus leaning into the “Us vs Them” position, removing any context and nuance. The out-group is portrayed as having “Deliberate Schizophrenia": pretending to be tolerant (“a democratic facade”) but secretly hunting Muslims. The authors claim that Muslim women feel like “strangers” in the “land of liberties” - insinuating that the Muslim identity isn’t accepted. This narrative convinces the in-group that the out-group is fundamentally hostile, incapable of acceptance - making the in-group more cohesive and resistant to assimilation. Creating alarm over converts being betrayed, unaccepted and oppressed results in severe boundaries for the in-group, ensuring purity within the group; who is accepted and who isn’t - even if that means excluding more moderate Muslims. 

Theme 3: A Conflict of Symbols

"The Alienation of Muslims in Al-Andalus" uses religious symbolism to construct the in-group and out-group identities. The article specifically states that church bells “ring freely” in Spain while the Adhan over loudspeakers (the Muslim call to prayer) is banned. While the Adhan itself is not banned anywhere in Spain, noise pollution regulations prohibit it from being broadcast on loudspeakers in some areas. This construction is clearly an attempt by the in-group (the Muslim authors of the article) to cause outrage against the out-group and this example shows how the article uses the “existential threat” narrative, such as the alleged ban on the Adha, as an attempt by Spain to, as the article claims, “erase any living Islamic trace”. The existential threat narrative is arguably one of the most effective in motivating violence against the out-group, because it is human nature to defend ourselves and our in-group against someone or something that specifically wants to wipe us out.

Looking Ahead

The utilisation of meta-stereotypes and the traitor narrative, using positive distinctiveness and the conflict of symbols is foundational in radicalisation rhetoric. When the state and its actions - with the democratic state emphasised in this case - is portrayed as fundamentally hostile, unaccepting and oppressive towards Islam, it also means that any sort of integration with society is a betrayal of their religion. 

The authors state that Madrid is no different from Tel Aviv. However, there is no mention of Spain’s support for Gaza and its vehement pro-Palestine position, as well as its criticism of Israel and support for the International Criminal Court to intervene in the “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” in Palestine. With Palestine having an estimated 98-99% Muslim population, there is more nuance and context to the Spanish position towards Islam than the authors claim in the Al-ʿUqāb. 

The new IS-supportive news outlet, Al-Iman Media Centre, will undoubtedly continue to produce novel content i.e. content that is not the same as the content from the official Islamic State news outlets, the Nashir and Amaq News Agencies. Content from unofficial IS-supportive news outlets and chatrooms provide unparalleled insight into the minds of the supporters of one of the deadliest and widespread Jihadist terrorist groups. Their content will likely continue to use contemporary geopolitical issues, including the fight against terrorism, to justify Islamist violence against out-groups such as Christians, Jews, Western Society, and secular states. The fact that yet another online IS-supportive news outlet has popped into existence, illustrates why it is so important and indeed imperative for counterterrorism practitioners and intelligence analysts to have their foot on the beat in terms of monitoring online IS-supportive activity. It is also clear from "The Alienation of Muslims in Al-Andalus" that IS continues to effectively recruit supporters who are motivated to produce online IS-supportive content, thus helping to spread its ideology and, subsequently, radicalise and recruit even more “cyber warriors”. 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Rene de Klerk is a Geopolitical Analyst with specialisation in Democracy Studies and African Politics. She holds a Masters Degree in Political Science. 

Cara Rau is a Senior Intelligence Analyst associated with Fulcrum Intel Digest. Her research interests include Sociolinguistics, African Jihadism and Terrorist Propaganda. She holds a Master of Terrorism and Security Studies and speaks Afrikaans, French and Russian.