September 2, 2014

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the reported murder of American journalist Steven Sotloff by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In a statement, CAIR said:

“No words can describe the horror, disgust and sorrow felt by Muslims in America and worldwide at the unconscionable and un-Islamic violence perpetrated by the terror group ISIS. The criminal actions of ISIS are antithetical to the faith of Islam.

“Such brutal acts must face redoubled efforts by people of all faiths and backgrounds to promote peace and justice and to reject the religious divisions these monstrous acts are designed to create.

“Our hearts go out to Mr. Sotloff’s loved ones and to all the loved ones of those murdered by ISIS.”

In August, CAIR had condemned the killing by ISIS of journalist James Foley and had called for Sotloff’s immediate release.

[NOTE: CAIR recommends that the video of both killings not be distributed or viewed to avoid encouraging further violence by ISIS or any other group.]

ISIS’s actions directly violate the clear commands of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, and the traditions (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad.

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.