In the strongest condemnation of the so-called Islamic State (IS), formerly known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), British Muslim imams have described British jihadis who fight alongside IS as “heretics” who are “betraying their own societies”.
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“There is no doubt that President Assad’s regime in Syria is oppressive, unjust and brutal, and has committed numerous atrocities against its own people,” the fatwa, endorsed by six senior British Muslim scholars, was quoted by Huffington Post on Sunday, August 31.
“The same is true of the so-called Islamic State (IS) or self-styled Caliphate, it is an oppressive and tyrannical group.
The fatwa, which The Sunday Times (£) said had been issued by imams, is the strongest condemnation of Britons who joined IS.
It followed the death of US photo journalist James Foley claimed by the so-called Islamic State.
The heinous crime has sparked angry condemnations from Muslims around the world, describing the crime as a barbaric act that goes against the true teachings of Islam.
“By murdering prisoners of war, journalists and civilians, including mosque imams who refused to endorse their campaign, and by enslaving the women and children of their opponents, ISIS has violated international agreements such as the Geneva Conventions and conventions on slavery that everyone, including Muslims, have signed up to,” the fatwa says.
“God says in the Qur’an, 'Believers, fulfill your covenants!'”
Though the fatwa is deemed the strongest reaction to IS, it is not the first condemnation to the militant group.
Last week, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh condemned Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadists as “enemy number one” of Islam.
Earlier this month, Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam had condemned the militants for atrocities they have been perpetrating in the countries and their violation of principles and teachings preached by Islam.
India Sunni and Shiite Muslims have united against the rise of ISIL, asserting that the actions of destroying holy sites, supporting sectarianism and divisions between Muslim groups cannot be attributed to a true Islamic state.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Islamic group has condemned ISIL, urging the government to take firmer action against the possible spread of the movement in Indonesia.
The Islamic Student Union (HMI) has also condemned Indonesian Muslims condoning and adhering to ISIL’s ideology.
