Is an Obscure Islamic Digital Watch The New Choice Of Terrorists & Non-State Actors?
We once called the Casio F91W the “Preferred Watch Of Terrorists” based largely on its associations with Usama bin Laden who was often photographed wearing the attainable Japanese digital watch before his impromptu meeting with SEAL Team Six in 2011. However, recent photographs of leaders of prominent terrorist organizations may indicate a changing tide in the arena of tool watches of terror.
The watches are produced by a brand called Al-Fajr, which is based in Saudi Arabia and known for its collection of what it calls “Islamic” watches and clocks that have functions specific to Islam including prayer time alarms and the ability to determine Qibla direction. We have written extensively about politicians and world leaders using timepieces as subtle communicative objects, and terrorist leaders are no different. The price is modest, ranging from sub-$100 to $300, marking an affordable option for the supposed pious individuals, many of which have access to extensive sums of money.
Siraj Haqqani, seen here wearing an Al-Fajr watch, is the Taliban’s Interior Minister in Afghanistan’s post-2021 government.
While the associations are likely unintended, the brand’s roots and Islamic functions have made the brand the new watch of choice for several leaders of prominent terror organizations including but not limited to Hamas, the Islamic State, and the Taliban.
*To be very clear, this article is not a condemnation of Al-Fajr or Islam, just an observation of the tools worn by those at the tip of the (terrorism) spear. Also, coverage does not equal endorsement, each of these groups is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the US Department of State.
Hamas
Assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh wearing an intriguing digital Al-Fajr Islamic watch.
The impetus for this article stems from the events of July 31st, 2024, when the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in the Iranian capital of Tehran. In recent photographs preceding his assassination, which was reportedly carried out by Israeli assets who placed an explosive device in a guesthouse in which he was supposed to stay, Haniyeh wore an Al-Fajr Islamic watch, marking one of our first interactions with the brand. As with all politicians or world leaders, it is safe to assume this Islam-specific watch was also worn to convey a message, one that is not exclusive to the departed Hamas leader.
Read about watches worn in the Israel-Palestine conflict HERE.
ISIS
ISIS Emir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi wearing an Al-Fajr watch in 2014.
Former Islamic State Emir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made one of his few public appearances in 2014 when he delivered a sermon at the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul, Iraq. Press reporting was quick to note the steel watch on his right hand, speculating that it was potentially an expensive Rolex or Omega “Seafarer.” (Of note, there is no Omega “Seafarer”.)
This would have been notable in itself; however, it appears the watch is another example of an Al-Fajr Islamic watch being worn by a prominent terrorist. Further, he was also wearing the watch on his right hand, which some believe is in line with Islamic tradition. ISIS maintained a sophisticated PR and media wing that could rival any nation-state, so it stands to reason that significant thought was put into al-Baghdadi’s watch before this recording of one of his few public appearances, but of course, this is simply speculation.
Taliban
Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban’s Defense Minster, photographed in 2024 wearing a general’s military uniform and a gold-tone Al-Fajr Islamic watch.
Anointed the Taliban’s Defense Minister in the wake of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Mullah Yaqoob was recently photographed wearing a military uniform complete with the rank of general and another, slightly different watch from Al-Fajr with a gold-tone case. As was the case for Ismail Haniyeh, choosing a watch produced by a brand based in the Middle East with Islam-centric functionality serves two-fold, first acting as a legitimate tool for a practitioner of Islam and second as an element of propaganda intended to showcase the ingenuity and technical manufacturing capabilities of the broader Islamic world.
When A Watch Is More Than Just A Watch
As we’ve often discussed with political leaders and other globally impactful individuals, a watch often serves as far more than its core timekeeping functionality may suggest, instead acting as a symbol of power, ingenuity, and/or unity within certain communities. For leaders of terrorist organizations to wear watches designed with Islam in mind especially when in the public eye demonstrates an awareness of the importance of media, propaganda, and influence, once again demonstrating that it’s never just a watch.
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Read Next: CIA Analysis of Foreign Leaders’ Timepieces
*Featured Image Credit: Claire Harbage/NPR
9 comments
It’s likely not entirely a coincidence. I always look forward to the next dispatch. Thanks for writing.
You articles are so professionally presented and informative that I enjoy them immensely. I have learned a lot, keep them coming. Freddy B
The gold-tone Al Fajr Deluxe or Legend model with brown leather strap is widely popular with Taliban officials. Siraj Haqanni’s brother Anas and Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Berader have also been photographed wearing them, as have many lower-level officials.
An educational essay for those of us in the US Foreign Service. Will disseminate around in my circles.
That said, in Iraq and Afghanistan, as a soldier, I saw plenty of G-shocks on the wrists on the lower-tier terrorist leaders and fine Western made mechanical watches on the upper echelon.
Keep up the good work, WoE.
I have one of their watches, and it’s quite fine. I haven’t had to adjust the time in well over a year (it handles the DST conversions automatically), and the watch arrived programmed for my location and time zone which is just good customer service.
Alarms exist for each prayer time and sunrise and sunset. They are adjustable so I can get the rise and set times making a noise while I (not being Muslim) can ignore the other events.
The leather strap is serviceable but unremarkable, the case and buttons are sharp, the displays are clear. The watch will (after calibration) point to Mecca or, if you’re more navigationally inclined, to try north (declension seems to be built in)
A fine watch for 1000 Saudi Dinars, shipped. ($275 US; the currencies are pegged.)