Who Is Caliph Ibrahim? Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Gains New Title As Ruler Of The Islamic State [MAP]

When the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria boldly declared a caliphate using territorial gains it secured in those two countries, the jihadist group changed its name to the Islamic State.

Along with that change is a new title for ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, whose real name is Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai. After ISIS declared the caliphate, which orders all jihadist groups and Muslims to swear allegiance to the Islamic State and governs under Shariah law, al-Baghdadi also became known as Caliph Ibrahim.

The title makes al-Baghdadi ruler of the swaths of land controlled by ISIS.

“We clarify to the Muslims that with this declaration of [caliphate], it is incumbent upon all Muslims to pledge allegiance to the [Caliph Ibrahim] and support him [may Allah preserve him]. The legality of all emirates, groups, states, and organizations, becomes null by the expansion of the [caliphate’s] authority and arrival of its troops to their areas,” ISIS said in a statement Sunday, according to a translation from the SITE Institute, a group that tracks terrorist activity and monitors jihadist messages. “Imam Ahmad [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, as reported by ‘Abdūs Ibn Mālik al-‘Attār, ‘It is not permissible for anyone who believes in Allah to sleep without considering as his leader whoever conquers them by the sword until he becomes [caliph] and is called Amīrul-Mu’minīn [the leader of the believers], whether this leader is righteous or sinful.’”

The Islamic State’s declaration said al-Baghdadi fulfilled the requirements to become Caliph Ibrahim, including having the proper lineage.

“And he has accepted the bay’ah [pledge of allegiance.] Thus, he is the imam and [caliph] for the Muslims everywhere. Accordingly, the ‘Iraq and Shām’ in the name of the Islamic State is henceforth removed from all official deliberations and communications, and the official name is the Islamic State from the date of this declaration.”

Here's a map of Iraq and Syria that shows the area of the new caliphate shaded in gray: