(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/20/14) — The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of several leading national and local Muslim organizations, condemns the murder of American journalist James Foley at the hands of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. We offer our deepest condolences to James’ family and pray they will find comfort and solace during this difficult time.
The USCMO roundly condemns this group and rejects its ideology and actions. The terror organization, which is also known by the acronym ISIS, does not speak or act on behalf of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims. In fact, they have killed so many Muslims indiscriminately. Their actions are reprehensible, inhumane and completely contravene all aspects and tenets of Islam.
“We are heartbroken by the brutal death of Mr. Foley,” said Oussama Jammal, USCMO secretary general. “It states in the Qur’an that the taking of one life is the equivalent of killing of all humankind and the saving of one life is equivalent to the saving of all humankind. Islam abhors and rejects the murder, mayhem and terror being spread by this group of criminal individuals.”
The USCMO also warns the public to avoid spreading Islamophobia by using the actions of ISIS to characterize and demonize all Muslims, globally and here in the United States. We agree with the words of James’ mother, Diane, who told the media that, “Jim’s death can bring our country together in a stronger way in the values that Jim held dear. He never wanted us to hate or be bitter.”
Finally, USCMO calls upon our government to increase its efforts to gain the release of another US journalist, Steven Sotloff, who was kidnapped near the Syrian-Turkish border in August 2013
