The Islamic State has now begun showing two faces to the world during this year's Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The insurgent group has treated the millions who live under their rule with both brutality and charity, handing out food and alms to the poor while implementing a brutal justice system that has recently executed a significant number of civilians.
The group's double approach has sought to get public support by providing services and acting as a functioning government to the lands that they have overrun, even declaring a "caliphate" in its territory last year. The group does this while imposing an unforgiving version of Islamic law through extreme violence, reports ABC News.
Residents in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the biggest city under the Islamic State's rule, have witnessed punishments meted out to the population due to simple, relatively minor offenses. People who are caught breaking the mandatory fast during Ramadan are punished by being put in a cage in a public square for hours or even several days.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also relates accounts of citizens being tied to a wooden cross in public for violations, as well as cases of people being flogged, according to CTV News.
A recent article by HNGN also relates the brutal treatment received by mothers and their children at the hands of the terrorist group.
Mohammed Ahmed Jassim, a 52-year old grocer and father of three living in Fallujah, described the atmosphere in the ISIS territory. "We've lost the beautiful Ramadan atmosphere we are accustomed to," he said, adding "Before, you could tell it is Ramadan in every corner in the city. Now everyone is staying put at home waiting for his fate."
The potent media machine of the Islamic State has not missed a minute of the group's supposed charitable acts, as reflected in its social media accounts showing the group providing refreshments at mosques and organizing a free sunset meal for the public.
