City Muslims, Christians condemn ISIS

MUMBAI: Muslim activists, community leaders and academicians, along with representatives of Christian community in the city, condemned the atrocities by the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) against minorities in Iraq and Syria, on Tuesday.

A statement against the ISIS, endorsed by 82 Muslim leaders and academicians, representing several organisations across India, was released at a press conference at Islam Gymkhana, Marine Lines.

The statement denounced religious intolerance, persecution and violence in the name of Islam.

“Indian Muslims are shocked and pained by the brutality and atrocities being perpetrated by the ISIS against Christians, Shias, Kurds, Yazidis and minorities. ISIS has been enforcing its own intolerant, violent and distorted interpretation of Islam on Sunnis,” the statement said.

Javed Anand of Muslims for Secular Democracy, Mumbai, urged Muslim religious leaders in India to stand along with the people who have already denounced ISIS for distorting Islam’s message for peace.

The group also appealed the United Nations to intervene and to hold ISIS accountable for the atrocities. “On behalf of Indian Muslim women, I strongly condemn the rapes against Muslim and Christian women in these areas,” said Noorjehan Safia Niaz of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Mumbai.

Zeenat Shaukat Ali, professor of Islamic Studies and director general, Wisdom Foundation said , “The meaning of Jihad is distorted by ISIS. Jihad means struggle for good and which does not include waging a war against someone.”

Christians also showed their support. Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas, principal, St. Xavier’s college, said, “It is very important to stand together against the violence. I condemn any kind of violence against any community or religion.”