Jihadis to get paid honeymoon

In Raqqa, Syria, an ISIS fighter named Abu Bilal al‑Homsi married a Tunisian woman he met online. The couple got a cash gift from ISIS for their wedding.

How the Couple Met and Married

Abu Bilal al‑Homsi is a Syrian man who fought for ISIS. He used a fake name, called a “nom de guerre”. He talked to his future wife on the internet for many months. She lives in Tunisia. They decided to marry in Raqqa, the city that ISIS called its capital.

After they married, they ate grilled meat in a local restaurant. They walked along the Euphrates River. They also ate frozen yogurt. All of this was possible because ISIS gave them money for the wedding.

What the Marriage Bonus Looks Like

ISIS has a special program that pays fighters for getting married. The program gives $1,500 to the couple. The money is meant to help them start a new home and a family. In addition, the fighter gets an extra $500 when he marries.

Abu Bilal al‑Homsi received a larger amount because his wife is a teacher and speaks four languages. The extra money helped them pay for a “honeymoon night” and other wedding needs.

News reports from CBS in 2015 also said that ISIS fighters get marriage bonuses and even a honeymoon payment. The Atlantic wrote in 2025 that the honeymoon practice in Syria is ending, showing that the policy may change over time.

Life in Raqqa Under ISIS

Raqqa was the main city of the ISIS‑declared caliphate. The group tried to run the city like a state. They set up schools, courts, and a welfare system. They also checked people at checkpoints for any sign of breaking their strict rules.

Some leaders kept women from the Yazidi community as sex slaves. Executions and public punishments were common. Yet, the group also tried to give fighters money for basic needs, like food, housing, and marriage.

Buildings that once belonged to the Syrian government were taken over by ISIS officials. Abu Ibrahim al‑Raqqawi, a local media source, said that the new ISIS government was in charge of these houses and apartments.

Why ISIS Gives Money for Weddings

ISIS wants to keep its fighters loyal. Giving cash for weddings is a way to reward them. It also encourages more fighters to join and stay in the group.

The marriage bonus is part of a larger welfare plan. The plan includes regular salaries, food rations, and other support. By helping fighters start families, ISIS hopes to build a community that follows its version of “God’s law”.

In the eyes of ISIS, a strong community means a stronger caliphate. Money for weddings is just one piece of that plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does ISIS pay a marriage bonus?

ISIS pays the bonus to keep fighters happy and loyal. Money helps them start a family, which the group believes will make the community stronger.

What is a caliphate?

A caliphate is a state that claims to follow Islamic law. ISIS called the area it controlled in Syria and Iraq a caliphate.

How did Abu Bilal al‑Homsi meet his wife?

They talked on the internet for many months. They used video calls and messages before meeting in Raqqa to get married.

Is the marriage bonus still given today?

Recent reports say the practice is ending in Syria. The policy may have changed as ISIS lost control of many areas.

Conclusion

The story of Abu Bilal al‑Homsi and his Tunisian wife shows how ISIS used cash payments to support marriages. It was part of a larger plan to keep fighters loyal and to build a community under its strict rules.