The efforts of anti-government rebel terrorist group Islamic State (IS) -- also referred to as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and ISlamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)-- are being promoted through the world-wide selling of T-shirts, hats and other memorabilia.
Since the jihadist group began its assaults, memorabilia including even bobble-head dolls and hoodies have been peddled in shops in the Middle East and on Indonesia based Facebook profiles.
According to Fox News, Facebook spokesman Israel Hernandez was quoted saying that Facebook has "rules that bar direct statements of hate, attacks on private individuals and groups, and the promotion of terrorism."
"Whenever we become aware of possible violations of our terms, we will investigate these instances and take action if violations of our Statements of Rights and Responsibilities take place."
Fox News reports that some of the pages were shut down by Facebook officials in June, however, search results yielded existing pages on the social networking site promoting not only ISIS but the Gaza conflict as well.
One shop selling the memorabilia was reportedly found near the outskirts of Istanbul in Bagcilar.
Scotty Neil, a former Green Beret who founded Operator, a clothing company geared toward special ops soldiers told Fox News that ISIS is "more than likely not producing shirts but indirectly they are benefiting from it."
"I don't think that T-shirt company X is sending the Islamic State funds," Neil said in the article, "but people wearing these shirts are making an outward statement and that often starts a dialogue and debate that furthers their message."
Fox News also stated that other experts in the field agree that the group's murderous message will only be perpetuated by the sales of the branded clothing.
Scott Mann, also a former Green Beret, told Fox News reporters that what is relevant by the peddling of the memorabilia is that Islamic youth are being mobilized "through commercial products that support their brand of radical Islam by using a solid story and the free market."
The ISIS rebels brand themselves as the defenders of Islam and they operate under the premise that "Islam is under attack by the West," according to Mann.
Though the group claims to act in the name of the faith of Islam, President Barack Obama refuted that in a national address following the beheading of American journalist James Foley by the Syria based ISIS.
"ISIL speaks for no religion, Obama said. "Their victims are overwhelmingly Muslim. No faith teaches people to massacre innocence."
