ISIS militants fighting in Iraq and Syria have greeted the death of Hollywood actor Robin Williams with bizarre Twitter outbursts declaring their love for his 1995 film Jumanji.
As news broke of the 63-year-old's death in an apparent suicide, Islamist militants and their supporters took to social media to discuss the merits of Williams' long career in the film industry. The expressions of love for his fantasy adventure film Jumanji were tempered somewhat by a number of terrorists condemning the late actor for jokes he made about jihadists during a filmed stand-up performance that has been uploaded on YouTube.
One known Islamist who goes by the name Abdullah and uses the Twitter handle @Mujahid4life was quick to voice his love of the actor's mid-1990s work. 'Abdullah' is understood to be a 19-year-old British born Islamist and ISIS supporter. Responding to London-based user Ibn Fulaan, who declared Williams death a 'shame' because he 'liked Jumanji', 'Abdullah' tweeted: 'Good movie. Loved it as a kid.'
Fulaan responded: 'Same, I had it on video lol.'
When other Twitter users expressed their disbelief that 'Abdullah' was openly discussing his love of Williams' films, another Islamist by the name Omar Shishani said: 'We are humans like you, joke about girls mirls... why we shouldn't see movie? [Sic]'
The exchange saw the Islamist fighters enter into a debate about movies, with 'Abdullah' answering a number of questions on his all-time favourite films. Asked by one Twitter user what his favourite Star Wars film was, he replied: 'I like Empire Strikes Back most,' before admitting he could 'maybe' see parallels between the film's rebels forces and ISIS.
Discussing his views on Steven Spielberg's blockbuster Schindler's List, 'Abdullah' replied: 'It was ok, but i think i only watched like half of it, been a while, can't remember. i like Spielberg flicks tho.'
When quizzed on his love of 90s children's' movies, the 'Abdullah' said he preferred Lion King to Bambi but admitted: 'honestly i like all the disney renaissance flicks.' The hugely popular television series Games of Thrones did not get his seal of approval, however, with the 19-year-old admitting he had only managed to get through two episodes before switching it off as it contained 'too much nudity.'
After receiving a number of shocked tweets asking why he was so interested in Western films and television, the ISIS supporter sent a message to a follower saying: 'They think i grew up somewhere in a mud hut so i never saw a movie whereas i've seen most of the flicks they ask. lol.'
'Abdullah' did, however, express concern that his radical Islamist message may have been lost somewhat while discussing Disney films, saying: 'Now I'm actually worried that people will start to follow me because they wanna hear about my favorite movies instead of reporting jihad.'
Having earlier declared himself to be a fan of Jumanji, 'Abdullah' appeared to change his mind a short time later after other ISIS militants posted YouTube footage of Williams mocking jihadists during a stand-up performance. In the clip Williams jokes that the oft-repeated claim that Islamic martyrs receive '71 dark-haired virgins' may have been misinterpreted, and they are in fact given '72 crystal clear raisins'.
He also jokes about the late Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden being beaten at the gates of heaven by the first president of the U.S. George Washington and 71 Virginians.
The video prompted 'Abdullah' to share the clip with his followers, saying: 'Those that say "RIP" to #RobinWilliams check out what he had to say about Islam...May Allah make him burn.'
He also mocked claims Williams committed suicide, describing it as a 'blessing' and claiming 'Allah guards us from depression. Hell, what an evil destination.'
Another Twitter user who goes my the name @AbuHamza1948 and usually posts in Arabic script added: 'he...crossed dressed for a living and defames our religion may Allah give him what he deserves in the Akhira [afterlife].'
