Abstract
The aim of the article is the comparison of Islamic State and al-Qaeda,
demonstrating similarities and differences between the two organisations. The
main hypothesis of the research is the assumption that the Islamic State is
different from al-Qaida primarily due to the fact that the main purpose of the
organisation activity is to establish an Islamic state based on Sharia principles.
This assumption is part of the strategy established by the deceased spiritual
leader of the group – Abu Mus’ab az-Zarqawi. Despite the fact that the final
strategic goal of al-Qaeda is now convergent with that of the Islamic State,
al-Qaeda’s methods of operation developed under the leadership of Osama
bin Laden focused on the destabilisation of the West and the Muslim support
of liberation movements. In turn, the Islamic State focuses on the elimination
of apostate regimes in the Arab world and establishment of the Caliphate.
Currently the diversity of perspectives of leaders of both terrorist organisations,
despite many similarities in the ideological issues, has led to a rivalry between
the two factions for hegemony over the global jihadist movement.