Comprehending the message: The difference between the Shahada and the ISIS flag

 The Shahada on black background on the left.

The Islamic State (ISIS) flag on the right.

The flag held in #Sydney cafe window is a Shahadah flag (left) not an ISIS flag (right) #MartinPlace #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/lwbbGBRUW1

— Stefan Simanowitz (@StefSimanowitz) December 15, 2014

What Is the Shahada?

The Shahada (also spelled “Shahadah”) is the Islamic Creed,

one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

The word “Shahada” comes from the verb shahida,

meaning “he testifies” or “he bears witness.”

In reciting the Shahada, a Muslim bears witness

 that Allah is the only true god,

and that Muhammad is Allah’s prophet.

The shortest form of the Shahada would be translated:

“There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Longer versions are common, especially those beginning with

 “I bear witness” or “I testify,” e.g.:

“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah,

and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

The question then is:

Are sympathisers with Islamic State appropriating the Testimony

for purposes which endanger human lives?
Postscript 2014-12-16
The Sydney Siege ended at 2 a.m,
The answer to the question above is:
A resounding yes.

A thoughtful post script from The Conversation 
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