TALIBAN WOMEN’S MAGAZINE AIMS TO BUILD SUPPORT

The Pakistani Taliban has released the first edition of a new women’s magazine, with articles celebrating the role of mothers in jihad and calling on “likeminded” sisters to learn new skills, including how to use a grenade.

The publication seeks to draw support from a section of society traditionally scorned by the jihadist group. “We want to provoke women of Islam to come forward and join the ranks of mujahideen,” reads an opening editorial in the magazine, which is titled Sunnat E Khaula, or The Way of Khaula, in honour of a female Muslim warrior from the 7 th century.

The cover image depicts a woman dressed in a burka from head to toe. Inside, an advice column implores readers to “learn how to use simple weapons.”