ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared in public for the first time a few days ago, commanding Muslims to "obey" him as the "leader who presides over you".
Dressed in a black turban and a robe, al-Baghdadi's attempt to evoke the image of the caliph was a big social media fail, since it was his Rolex watch that everyone has been discussing about, with some Twitter users even suggesting that it was a cheap Made in China imitation.
Many users on social media suggested that al-Baghdadi's watch was a Rolex, Sekonda or a£3,500 Omega Seamaster. The leader's choice of such an expensive accessory clashes with his austere message and humility.
But contradicting this, some Twitter users have stated that al-Baghdadi's watch was not expensive at all as it was just cheap Made in China material.
Infidels do fancy things. RT @THE_47th: Rolex Bombmaster II RT @ruslantrad: Made in China or no? #AlBaghdadi pic.twitter.com/SdBvOlWfsp
— MEA (@E_Mehdi) July 6, 2014
Caliph Ibrahim's Sermon
al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph of Syria and Iraq, has taken up the adoptive name Ibrahim. In his 20-minute long sermon, he said that the Islamic State would fight to take back the "dignity, might, rights and leadership" for Muslims the world over (read full story here).
"I am the wali (leader) who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me. If you see that I am wrong, advise me and put me on the right track, and obey me as long as I obey God in you," he stated.
al-Baghdadi's first public appearance in Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, came at a time when many had raised doubts on his identity. There were rumors that al-Baghdadi was grievously wounded in an air raid and has been taken to Syria, while some reports also noted that al-Baghdadi died in attacks by the Iraqi forces.
al-Baghdadi's Rolex watch gained much popularity on Twitter:
ISIS Caliph al-Baghdadi denounces West but is spotted wearing '$6000 wristwatch' http://t.co/ul44bNqEqQ via @MailOnline #rolex
— Lisa Daftari (@LisaDaftari) July 7, 2014
'Khalifah' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi should be wearing a gold Rolex or at at least 2 like Fidel. What a cheapskate! #ISIS pic.twitter.com/qRsfjPZT71
— Sheik Yerbutti (@sheikyerbutti) July 7, 2014
ISIS "Caliph's" Rolex watch! Gift from the CIA before releasing him from US custody?? pic.twitter.com/OrHTeoYpbu
— मुरली Swaminathan (@mswami) July 7, 2014