(The Islamic State has been Established) is a prominent Arabic a cappella hymn, or nasheed , that gained global notoriety as the unofficial anthem of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). Essential Overview
: Like most nasheeds used by extremist groups, it is strictly a cappella , meaning it uses no musical instruments, which aligns with their specific interpretation of Islamic law.
"Wa rafa'at raya al-tawheed, fawqa al-'arsh al-majeed" (It raised the flag of monotheism above the Glorious Throne) dawlat al islam qamat nasheed top
: The lyrics focus on the "establishment of the Caliphate," martyrdom, and victory through religious devotion and warfare. It begins with the line "My Ummah, Dawn has appeared, so await the expected victory". The New Republic Cultural & Political Impact : The American magazine The New Republic
The Islamic State itself has recognized the power of using local languages. In December 2015, the group released its first-ever nasheed in Mandarin Chinese, titled "We Are the Mujahideen." As reported by Hong Kong's Initium Media , this release was a clear attempt to reach a wider audience, especially Muslims in China. Notably, a music professor noted that while the language was new, the core musical style was "no different" from that of their Arabic hits, with "Dawlat al-Islam Qamat" being cited as the most famous example of that formula. (The Islamic State has been Established) is a
Also known by its opening line, ("My Ummah, Dawn Has Appeared"), the chant was performed by the prominent jihadi munshid (vocalist) Abu Yasir. The track utilizes precise audio engineering to achieve a hypnotic, resonant quality designed to linger in the listener's mind. 1. Imagery and Transliteration
: The track features a multi-tracked, heavily layered male chorus led by a munshid (chanter) reportedly identified as Abu Yasir. It begins with the line "My Ummah, Dawn
For supporters, the melody symbolized victory and unity. For others, it became a chilling herald of impending violence.
Music alters human emotional states. By overwhelming young, impressionable listeners with soaring, cinematic vocal tracks, recruiters could bypass logical or ethical hesitation.
Its power was felt immediately. According to experts, it was arguably the most influential nasheed of 2014. The song became the soundtrack of the caliphate, used extensively in official propaganda videos, played on the battlefield, and shared widely across social media to inspire supporters and instill fear in enemies. One report from 2014 noted that the song had even been used by the Nigerian jihadist group to accompany its leaders' speeches, highlighting the track's reach beyond ISIS's own borders.