New Zealand man working as teacher in ISIS-occupied Syria updates LinkedIn page with skills, location
Nicholas McCallum
January 12, 2016, 7:13 am
A New Zealand man who fled to Syria is believed to have set up a LinkedIn page where he bills himself as an "Education Management Professional" in the Islamic State.
The account is thought to belong to 43-year-old Mark John Taylor who changed his name to Muhammad Daniel in 2009 around the same time he was kicked out of Pakistan.
The professional social media network profile has since been blocked.
It states Daniel has been in Syria since October 2014 and lists his experience working in security and "Teaching children from Ages 5-12 or Grades 1-8."
Muhammad Daniel's LinkedIn page details before it was blocked with profile pic. Source: Linkedin
"Basic English Conversation language. Teaching Grammar, past and present tenses. Teaching with a puppet and enjoyed having fun with the students," it adds.
As well as pedagogical puppetry, Daniel's profile states he is skilled in 171 radios, weather balloons and radar.
"I took proud serving for my God, Queen and Country: New Zealand. The NZ Army was my life and I loved it!" the LinkedIn page states.
"Living in the heart of the Islamic State is a good experience and I encourage others to come and see for themselves.
Daniel said he was headed to Syria to find a wife but later added to his to-do list becoming a 'soldier for Allah' and martyrdom.
"There's no danger here and a great place to bring up the family. Except Western Jet fighters that always drop bombs on Civilians!"
The New Zealand Herald reported in July 2014 that Daniel was headed to Syria on a "one-way trip" and later said he was there to become "soldier for Allah" and achieve martyrdom.
In an interview with New Zealand's 60 Minutes in 2011, Daniel said he was travelling to the region to find a wife but he later appeared in a video message to declare he was in Syria for other reasons.
"My current location is in Syria and my commitment is for jihad for Allah and his Messenger," the video message said.
