2nd September 2014
The Muslim Council of Britain today condemned yet another murder reportedly carried out by the so-called ‘Islamic State’ group. Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said: “This depraved act is yet another illustration of how this group betrays the very principles of Islam they claim to uphold. They dishonour our faith, and sully the Islamic principles of justice.”
“We send our condolences to the family of Steven Sotloff and all those left bereaved by this conflict.”
The condemnation comes as leaders from various faiths will come together in London on 3 September to stand united against the violence in Iraq. #WeAreAllHuman
When the journalist James Foley was murdered, the Muslim Council of Britain said: “Each day ISIS seeks to carry out an act more barbarous than the day before, craving the oxygen of publicity to give credibility to their heinous acts. We condemn unreservedly their psychopathic violence, whether it is on minorities, on civilians, or on fellow Muslims.”
“ISIS does not speak for Islam, and has been repudiated by all Muslims. Their message only appeals to those who are easily duped by their twisted message purporting to be Islam. They seek to glamorise their violence, and unfortunately, the media has a part to play in adding to that glamour.”
“We urge the media in refraining from giving them any further undue exposure beyond conventional reporting. And we urge Muslim communities to re-double their efforts in coming together, condemning the barbarity of ISIS and persuading those gullible enough to take in their message that they are on a path to futility.”
Access this statement at: http://www.mcb.org.uk/mcb-condemns-murder-of-stephen-sotloff/
Notes to editors
1. The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
2. Previous statements on terrorism and extremism
http://www.mcb.org.uk/tag/terrorism/
3. For further information please contact:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 57330
London
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
media@mcb.org.uk
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