U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations Condemn Murder, Denounce ISIS

(WASHINGTON DC 08/25/2014) — The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of several leading national and local Muslim organizations issued its strongest statement yet, condemning the murder of American journalist James Foley by the hands of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The organization, which includes The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS) and several others, was formed earlier this year to provide a unified response to issues that impact Muslim- Americans.

"We offer our deepest condolences to James’ family and pray they will find comfort and solace during this difficult time," stated the group in a new press release.

"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," the press release stated.

“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 warned 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.

James’ mother, Diane, echoed those thoughts to the media, saying 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.”

The USCMO statement also called upon the American 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.