- “Legend tells of a group of hidden Djinn, exiled from their home world and damned to live out their days trapped in our own. They move in shadows, searching for the key that will help them get home.”
- ―An extract from Bruno Carrelli's research[src]
The Clandestines are a group of characters from Marvel Comics that are featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, first appearing in the Disney+ series, Ms. Marvel.
The Clandestines are a group of Jinn, originating from the Noor Dimension, who were exiled onto Earth. They are lead by Najma, and seek a way to return home. They encounter Kamala Khan, the great-granddaughter of their former member, Aisha, and pursue her for the bangle she possesses, which serves as the key to their return home. They attempt to capture her, during Aamir Khan and Tyesha Hillman's wedding, but are arrested by the Department of Damage Control, shortly after. The group manage to escape, but leave Kamran behind, and follow Kamala to Karachi. There, the remaining members of the group all meet their fates, as Aadam and Saleem are killed by the Red Daggers, while Fariha and Najma are killed by the Veil of Noor.
The Clandestines are based on the Clan Destine, who were created by writer and artist, Alan Davis.
Background
The Clandestines refer to Najma, Aisha, Fariha, Saleem, and Aadam, a group of Djinn, who formerly belonged to the Noor Dimension. Unknown circumstances, lead to their exile, and they were forced onto Earth. Outside of their home, their access to Noor is greatly subdued, though it still works in some form, as it's able to slow down their aging process. Ever since their expulsion, they have sought out a way to return.[1]
In 1942, during the British occupancy of India, the Clandestines are informed by a man from a temple that two bangles hold the power to lead them home. They arrive in an underground cave, but find it in ruins, ransacked by the British Army, who have already looted the location. Najma manages to uncover one of the bangles, hidden beneath the rubble and Aisha takes hold of it. Najma gives her time to escape, while she and the other Clandestines, ward off the British Army from her.[1]
After their encounter with the Army, the remaining Clandestines are unable to locate Aisha.[1]
Three years pass, and Najma locates Aisha, now married and with a child to a local Muslim man, living in a village. Najma gives Aisha until sundown the next day to hand her the bangle so they can return home. The Partition of India takes place, and Aisha uses it as an opportunity to escape from Najma. She travels with her family to the station, but Najma tracks her, and stabs her former friend, for her betrayal.[2]
At some point, the Clandestines encounter the Order of the Red Daggers, a secret group of warriors, located within Pakistan, whose mission is to protect their communities from the threats the Clandestines pose. The two parties fight for several decades.[3]
Many decades later, Najma meets a human man, and the pair have a son, Kamran, who joins the Clandestines ranks.[1]
Years pass, with the Clandestines still unable to find a way to return, until they sense the presence of Noor. They find it located within New Jersey, coming from seventeen year old Kamala Khan, who they learn, is the great-granddaughter of Aisha, and possesses the bangle. Kamran enrolls into her school, and befriends her.[1]
Appearances
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Ms. Marvel
Najma and Kamran rescue Kamala from the clutches of the DODC and bring her to Aadam's house, where they all introduce themselves. The group tease Kamran upon learning he harbors a crush on Kamala. Najma explains to her, how they learnt of her presence and lies by claiming Aisha was lost to them during the Partition. She briefly informs Kamala of their history and of their exile, in hopes she can act a component in their return home, through the combination of her mixed lineage, and the bangle she possesses. Najma reveals that they are all beings from the Noor Dimension and known as Djinn.[1]
Later on Najma learns through Kamran's texts, that Kamala is having doubts in helping them return, so takes the other Clandestines to capture the young heroine, herself. Kamran warns Kamala of his mother’s plans, and the group arrive at a wedding venue to capture her. They make their way through the building, in pursuit of her, while the guests scatter. A fight ensues, leading Kamran to betray his family, in Kamala's defense, but Kamran is knocked unconscious by Saleem. Kamala is cornered, but Damage Control sweeps the building and arrest the group.[1]
The Clandestines are brought into custody by the DODC at their Supermax Prison. A brief skirmish ensues between the group and the prison's guards, but the Clandestines manage to overpower them, and free themselves. While they all leave, Najma orders them to leave Kamran behind, following his betrayal.[3]
They travel to Karachi, Pakistan, and break into the secret headquarters of the Red Daggers. A battle ensues between the Clandestines, and Kamala, who is being assisted by the Red Dagger's leader, Waleed, and the current Red Dagger. The fight spills onto the streets, and Waleed kills Saleem, while he chases down Kamala and the Red Dagger. Najma stabs him in the back as retribution, as she, alongside Fariha and Aadam chase down Kamala. They group find themselves in an enclosed space, and Red Dagger manages to get the upper hand over Aadam and kills him. Najma aims her blades in Kamala's direction, but misses her, and hits her bangle instead. A surge of energy is released, everyone is thrown back.[3] When they all come to, they find that the gateway back to the Noor Dimension has been opened.[2]
Fariha walks towards the Veil, but as she makes contact, he skin petrifies into stone, and body is disintegrated, leaving nothing but a skeleton. The Veil begins pulsating around the courtyard, causing destruction in its path, and Najma sacrifices herself to close it. She walks in its direction, accepting her fate, and calls out for her son one final time, before she is killed.[2]
