The President of Muslims Australia (AFIC), Mr Hafez Kassem condemned ISIS and criticised them for being in violation of Islamic laws and distanced Islam from the actions of this militant group, saying they “have nothing to do with Islam and its principles that call for justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith and coexistence.”
Mr Kassem denounced the “forced deportation under the threat of execution” of Christians, calling it a “crime that cannot be tolerated.” He went on to say that Muslims should not be hostile towards “people with different faith.
He mentioned that during the time of the Prophet Muhammed pbuh, Christians were invited to pray at mosques and sat with the Prophet to engage in dialogue. One of the key instructions given in the Quran is of there being no compulsion in religion, a teaching that ISIS have clearly ignored.
Leaders from Muslim communities around the world have also been vocal in their condemnation of ISIS and what it stands for.
Once again, most Muslims give no legitimacy to ISIS or other extremist groups and stand with the Australian government to support the Iraqi government’s attempts to protect minority groups against ISIS savagery.
Mr Kassem is requesting media to be more balanced in their coverage of Muslims as it has implications for the whole Muslim community.
