Fethullah Gulen, a world renowned scholar,
preacher and social advocate published his message of condemnation in today's New
York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, LA Times
and Chicago Tribune. Fethullah Gulen is the
Honorary President of Washington, D.C. based Rumi
Forum.
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ISIS Cruelty Deserves Our Strongest
Condemnation
As a practicing Muslim deeply influenced by
tenets of my faith, I strongly condemn the brutal atrocities of the ISIS
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 prosecution of minorities contradicts the principles of the Qur'an 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 ask 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
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Fethullah Gulen's original August 22
statement on ISIS is available at www.afsv.org
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