Planting the Seeds of the Poisonous Tree: Establishing a System of Meaning Through ISIS Education

This research report, Planting the Seeds of the Poisonous Tree: Establishing a System of Meaning through ISIS Education, analysis nearly 70 primary-source documents produced by Daesh related to children’s education. It identifies the common narratives, values, and themes that Daesh embedded within its educational practices to indoctrinate children. By understanding the structure and content of Daesh’s educational strategies, the report aims to inform more effective counter-extremism initiatives, particularly those focused on preventing the radicalization of children. 

The research report is a collaborative effort between Hedayah and the George Washington University Program on Extremism, conducted as part of the ISIS Files project. The “ISIS Files” constitute the largest non-governmental archive of original Daesh materials, compromising documents abandoned by Daesh in 11 cities after their strongholds were reclaimed. These files offer crucial insights into how extremist and violent extremist narratives were crafted and disseminated, specifically targeting children. 

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