An Australian woman accused of having ties to the Islamic State (Isis) allegedly attempted to indoctrinate her young children by showing them extremist propaganda videos, a Melbourne magistrates' court heard. Rayann El Houli, 34, is charged with participating in Isis activities during her time living under the group’s control in Syria.
Court documents revealed that in 2016, El Houli filmed herself training her children, then aged two and one, to handle a rifle while jihadi chants played in the background. Transcripts read aloud described her asking the children questions about Isis fighters and how they “slaughter the apostate” with guns and knives. One recording reportedly showed a child playing with a toy rifle as El Houli encouraged them to demonstrate violent acts depicted in the propaganda.
El Houli returned to Australia last year following an extended period in Syria under Isis rule from 2014 until the group’s military defeat in 2019. After the caliphate collapsed, she and her children spent over six years in the al-Hawl displaced persons camp in Syria before being smuggled into Lebanon. Upon her return, Australian authorities arrested her.
According to Senior Constable Paul Sherlock of the Australian Federal Police, El Houli exposed her children to violent jihadist content, including videos showing fighters killing “disbelievers.” One recording from March 2016 reportedly captured her youngest child raising an index finger—a known Isis gesture—while El Houli asked what happens to infidels, to which the child replied, “In the hellfire.” Subsequent interactions allegedly involved coaching the older child to imitate Isis fighters, with weapons visible in the home environment.
El Houli reportedly first traveled to Syria in September 2014 with her first husband, Allak Hamad, who was killed the following year. She later married two other Australian Isis militants, Abdulkadehr Assad, also deceased, and Mohammed Noor Masri, from whom she divorced in an Isis court.
Prosecution counsel Andrew Sprague contended that El Houli’s documented enthusiasm and active engagement with Isis undermined claims that her actions were merely performative. The court was informed that she declined to participate in a program designed to counter violent extremism.
In contrast, defense lawyer Peter Morrissey argued that El Houli’s involvement with Isis occurred years ago and that she has since renounced the group’s ideology. The defense emphasized her current focus on caring for her children amid a challenging and stressful life, characterizing her as a highly traumatized individual.
Magistrates will consider an application for bail, with a decision anticipated shortly.