WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's
largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today
condemned what it called the "gruesome and barbaric" killing of
American journalist James
Foley by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria (ISIS), also known as the
Islamic State.
ISIS released a video of the killing Tuesday. That same video
showed a second man identified as American journalist Steven
Sotloff and warned that he would be the next hostage
killed.
In a statement, CAIR said:
"We strongly condemn this gruesome and barbaric killing as a
violation of Islamic beliefs and of universally–accepted
international norms mandating the protection of prisoners and
journalists during conflicts.
"The Geneva Conventions, the Quran - Islam's revealed text -
and the traditions (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad all require
that prisoners not be harmed in any way. There can be no excuse or
justification for such criminal and bloodthirsty actions.
"We also call on those holding Steven Sotloff and other
prisoners to immediately release them unharmed so they may return
to their loved ones."
[NOTE: CAIR recommended that the video of Foley's killing
not be distributed or viewed.]
CAIR noted that in chapter 76 of the Quran, God says: "(The
truly virtuous are) they. . .who give food - however great be their
own want of it - to the needy, the orphan and the captive."
One hadith quotes the Prophet Muhammad strongly condemning a
military commander who, without the prophet's knowledge, had harmed
prisoners.
Another hadith has the prophet offering his own shirt to a man
who gave his shirt to a prisoner of war who was captured without
one.
CAIR recently reiterated its condemnation of the
"un-Islamic and morally repugnant" violence and religious extremism
of ISIS.
SEE: CAIR Reiterates Condemnation of ISIS Violence, Religious
Extremism
http://tinyurl.com/pckko4y
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy
organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam,
encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American
Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual
understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director
Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726,
ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)