Muslim leaders, why the silence on IS?
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Re: “The three powerful scholars fuelling Islamic State hate”, Opinion, March 30.
Mohamad Bazzi’s article gives a thorough historical explanation of the three main influences on Islam.
He cites a long-term study by Pew Research indicating that about three-quarters of the world’s Muslims reject terrorist attacks. They recognise that while the Islamic State (IS) acts in the name of Islam, religion here is simply a convenient screen for a group of murderous thugs.
The missing element, both in this article and elsewhere, is condemnation of IS by religious leaders of the Muslim world. Why aren’t they decrying the slaughter by these rogue murderers?
It’s time these leaders stood up and used the influence they enjoy to dissuade potential recruits to the jihadist cause. They could do much more to stem the flow of impressionable young men into IS ranks.
Ray Gregory
