Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declared he will no longer be referring to Islamic State militants as ISIS but rather as "Daesh." The extremist group apparently hates the Arabic term as it deprives militants of their legitimacy among Muslims.

Mr Abbott told the Herald Sun that Daesh does not like the term and encouraged Western leaders and reporters to use it too. He said he "absolutely refuses" to use the term the group claims for itself since he believes the militants have distorted religion and governance. The Guardian reported that world leaders and the media have been using different references to the group beginning with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL, then Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS and now simply as Islamic State.

In Arabic, the group's name is Al Dawla al-Islamiya and literally translated as "Islamic State." The militant group's name is based more on a religious concept than a political one. The Arabic name relates more to Islam's ideal of a universal Islamic community that is united in faith and bound by sharia or religious doctrine. Experts said the English language has difficulty capturing the true meaning of name.

Mr Abbott has insisted that others follow his lead to stop calling the terrorist group ISIL, ISIS or IS. He said the term "Daesh" appeals to him because the group does not like to be called that name. According to international media reports, militant leaders have threatened to "cut out the tongues" of those who refer to them as Daesh.

The Herald Sun reported that one of the reasons the group does not like the term probably it was first used by the supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Another possibility is that Daesh closely resembles the Arabic term "daes" which means to "trample down or crush." Another word similar to Daesh is "dahes" which means "one who sows discord."

Mr Abbott said Daesh has become an issue for Australians as its rose to power in Iraq and Syria has inspired other potential terrorists to act. In adopting the term, the Australian prime minister joins other Arabic speakers who also refer to the group as Daesh. British ambassador to Iraq Simon Collis told the Guardian that Arabic speakers say "Daesh" with contempt and hostility.

Meanwhile, a fake email is being circulated by hackers claiming to contain a list of locations in Sydney where ISIS plans to attack within the year. According to the Daily Mail, the email dupes users to download the file. Once downloaded, the contents enable hackers to take control of the user's computer.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has warned users to delete the fake email and avoid clicking on the attachment. The hackers may be taking advantage of the public's fear of more terrorist attacks in light of the recent Sydney siege at a Lindt café in Martin Place.

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