A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF AFGHAN WAR ANASHIDUSING FAIRCLOUGH AND HALLIDAY’S FRAMEWORKS

Authors

  • Khursheed Ahmad Department of English, University of Swabi. Author
  • Saba Sadia Department of English, The Govt. Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur Author
  • Rehmat Ali Department of English, University of Swabi. Author

Keywords:

Critical Discourse Analysis, Anashid, SFL, Jihad, Religious-Militant Discourse

Abstract

This study employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) to
examine how Afghan war anashid (Islamic chants) intertwine religious and militant discourses to
legitimize Jihad. By analysing a corpus of 24 anashid and their frequency data), the paper reveals how
linguistic strategies—such as material processes (kill), imperatives (“March!”), and binary oppositions
(believer/kafir)—construct a sacred duty to resistance. Findings demonstrate that concepts like
“freedom” and “peace” are redefined through divine warfare, while repetition of religious lexicon
(Jihad, shahadat) and Quranic intertextuality naturalize jihad as transcendental. The study
underscores the need to address linguistic infrastructures of conflict to dismantle entrenched
ideological narratives

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Published

2025-03-30

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 01 (2025): (JALT)

Section

Articles