How many more must be ISIS cannon fodder?

However, responses by both Muslim and non-Muslims to a recently published interview with IS fighter Shane Crawford, who now calls himself “Abu Sa’d at Trinidadi”, insist that his assertions have no basis in religion in general and Islam in particular.

It is difficult to believe, however, that Muslims who are presumably familiar with their Quran are unaware that IS cites scripture to justify its actions.

While religious apologists may argue that IS spokesmen are misinterpreting these texts, it is at least disingenuous to pretend such verses do not exist.

For example, Crawford in the interview advised local Muslims to “terrorise the disbelievers and make them feel fear everywhere, even in their own bedrooms.” The Quran in Sura 9:123 says, “Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you and let them find harshness in you.” Crawford also warned local Muslims that “... if, however, you abandon your brothers while continuing to live in the shade of an enemy at war with Islam, within a petty distance from many crusader interests, then do not be shocked if Allah strips you of the speck of faith remaining in your dying hearts, as a punishment for your sin and insincerity.” Sura 5:80 tells Muslims who make friends with unbelievers that “Allah became displeased with them and in chastisement shall they abide.” Devout Muslims have a moral duty to rebut IS’ textual authority for their actions by providing alternative interpretations, rather than mere blanket statements that Islam is a religion of peace that does not promote any violence whatsoever.

In this day and age, people who profess a religion should embrace only the humane aspects of its dogma, not use the bloodthirsty passages of scriptures derived from more primitive eras and circumstances to justify impulses of hatred and cruelty.

How many more young Muslim men will become cannon fodder for IS? We encourage our Muslim citizens to adhere to their deepest principles of peace in a problem that threatens the security of all TT .

TT Humanist Association via email