Wednesday, September 17, 2014
ISIS Cruelty Deserves Our Strongest Condemnation
ISIS IS A TERRORIST GROUP
Their actions are a disgrace to the faith they proclaim and are crimes against humanity. Religion provides a foundation upon which to establish peace, human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law. Any interpretations to the contrary including the abuse of religion to fuel conflicts are simply wrong and deceitful.
ISIS is not the first group to use religious rhetoric to mask its cruelty --Al Qaeda did so 13 years ago and Boko Haram more recently. What they all have in common is a totalitarian mentality that denies human beings their dignity.
Any form of violence against innocent civilians or persecution of minorities contradicts the principles of the Qu'ran and the traditions of our Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings). ISIS members are either completely ignorant about the faith they proclaim, or their actions are designed to serve individual interests or those of their political masters. Regardless, their actions represent those of a terrorist group and, as such, they should be brought to justice and compelled to answer for their horrific crimes.
I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased in Iraq and Syria and to the families of James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines. May God give them strength, patience, and perseverance, and alleviate their suffering. I also pray for the immediate and safe release of hostages and God, the Merciful, to lead us all toward mutual respect and peace. I invite everyone around the world to join me in these prayers.
Fethullah Gulen
Islamic Scholar, Preacher, and Social Advocate
This message is from the Alliance for Shared Values--a non-profit that serves as a central resource for information on Fethullah Gulen and the Civil Society Movement he inspired --and from its member organizations focused on interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Atlantic Institute, Dialogue Institute, Pacifica Institute, Peace Islands Institute, Niagara Foundation and Rumi Forum.
Fethullah Gulen's Original, August 22nd Statement on ISIS is available at www.afsv.org
ISIS IS A TERRORIST GROUP
Their actions are a disgrace to the faith they proclaim and are crimes against humanity. Religion provides a foundation upon which to establish peace, human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law. Any interpretations to the contrary including the abuse of religion to fuel conflicts are simply wrong and deceitful.
ISIS is not the first group to use religious rhetoric to mask its cruelty --Al Qaeda did so 13 years ago and Boko Haram more recently. What they all have in common is a totalitarian mentality that denies human beings their dignity.
Any form of violence against innocent civilians or persecution of minorities contradicts the principles of the Qu'ran and the traditions of our Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings). ISIS members are either completely ignorant about the faith they proclaim, or their actions are designed to serve individual interests or those of their political masters. Regardless, their actions represent those of a terrorist group and, as such, they should be brought to justice and compelled to answer for their horrific crimes.
I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased in Iraq and Syria and to the families of James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines. May God give them strength, patience, and perseverance, and alleviate their suffering. I also pray for the immediate and safe release of hostages and God, the Merciful, to lead us all toward mutual respect and peace. I invite everyone around the world to join me in these prayers.
Fethullah Gulen
Islamic Scholar, Preacher, and Social Advocate
This message is from the Alliance for Shared Values--a non-profit that serves as a central resource for information on Fethullah Gulen and the Civil Society Movement he inspired --and from its member organizations focused on interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Atlantic Institute, Dialogue Institute, Pacifica Institute, Peace Islands Institute, Niagara Foundation and Rumi Forum.
Fethullah Gulen's Original, August 22nd Statement on ISIS is available at www.afsv.org
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