Al-Shamikha, Al Qaeda Women's Magazine, Launches: Report

Al Qaeda has reportedly launched Al-Shamikha (Arabic for "majestic woman"), a 31-page ladies' magazine, the Independent writes.

SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors the "jihadist threat," first came across the magazine on March 3. It was allegedly released by the Al-Fajr Media Center, an online distributor of al-Qaeda propaganda and published by the "al-Shamikha Media Foundation" media group.

According to the British paper, topics covered in the debut issue include how to find Mr. Right -- "marrying a mujahideen" -- and how to maintain perfect skin -- by covering your face. Other life advice? "From martyrdom, the believer will gain security, safety and happiness."

And from the magazine's preamble:

"Because women constitute half of the population - and one might even say that they are the population since they give birth to the next generation - the enemies of Islam are bent on preventing the Muslim woman from knowing the truth about her religion and her role, since they know all too well what would happen if women entered the field of jihad... The nation of Islam needs women who know the truth about their religion and about the battle and its dimensions and know what is expected of them."

If responsible, this isn't Al Qaeda's first publication -- nine months ago it launched Inspire, an English-language magazine meant to influence opinion about the group abroad. In 2004, radical Islamists founded "Al-Khansa," an online "jihadist" publication for women, the BBC writes.

James Brandon of think tank Quilliam told the Daily Mail, "Al-Qaeda see how effective magazines are at pushing the ideals of western culture and want to try the same thing. As a result they have come up with a jihadist's version of Cosmopolitan magazine," Al-Shamikha.

The Mail adds that the next issue will contain more skin care tips and a how-to on waging electronic jihad. The current issue is viewable online here.