Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appears in public leading Jummah prayers in Mosul

Speaking from the mimbar (pulpit) al-Baghdadi urged Muslims from around the world to make hijra to the “Islamic state” which was announced on Sunday 29 June, first day of Ramadan.

Dressed in a black thobe (robe) and turban he said to the congregation: “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.”

His public appearance in Mosul came just as Iraqi officials claimed that he had been severely injured in a raid by government forces in Anbar province and had since fled to Syria.

The decision to come out of hiding may have been aimed at disproving such claims, as well as demonstrating to numerous Islamist and jihadist organisations that have rejected the Islamic state on the basis of its lack of internal and external security.

The full khutbah can be viewed on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itu6NhED9Yk&feature=youtu.be

The full transcript of the speech can be read here: http://justpaste.it/g23g

The full audio speech can be heard here: http://ia601509.us.archive.org/24/items/mm_259336/risala.mp3