While we have had many faces and voices against ISIS, the most important and compelling voices of those against extremism are Muslims who have, around the world, faced death from the ISIS terrorists who claim they are representing a twisted version of “Islam.” It is essential that we encourage those supporting human rights and rejecting extremist views.
Muslims, in America, France, Other Parts of the World, Are Taking a Public Stand Against ISIS
After the November 13, 2015 ISIS terrorist attacks, we saw Muslims in France, Italy, and other parts of Europe stand up in rejection and defiance of the ISIS hate and terrorism, including taking part in public protests against ISIS and in support of those attacked in Paris. Muslims across France and Europe marched against ISIS. Since the November 13 Paris attacks, a global campaign has extended on Twitter with Muslims taking a stand against ISIS promoting the campaign #NotInMyName.
After ISIS Paris Terrorist Attacks, Muslim Demonstrations Take Place in Europe – Thousands of Muslims in Toulouse, Rome, Stockholm Denounce Attacks
Anti-ISIS Muslim Women Protest in Support of Paris
There have been active, but rarely publicized Muslim groups in the USA which challenge extremist views. This has included groups which R.E.A.L. has joined with in promoting human rights, such as the Muslims for Progressive Values, and the Muslimah Writer’s Alliance (MWA), with whom we have stood together in support of shared universal human rights.
Washington DC – R.E.A.L. and Interfaith Group Stands at Freedom Center for Universal Human Rights
On the day of the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Muslims came forward to reject and denounce violence. In the aftermath of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, we also see Muslims who have spoken out and rejected the terrorist violence against those victims.
Muslim woman Samar Natour – standing friends with the victims of San Bernardino terrorist attack – “We are here to show support and for there to be a Muslim presence and to show that the violence is not what our religion is about ” (Source: Newsweek)
On December 3, 2015, the American Muslim Institution, based in Washington DC, issued a statement that the “Loss of life in San Bernardino is unequivocally condemned by Muslims.” The statement included “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and their loved ones, 14 people have lost their lives to senseless violence and another 17 are seriously injured. We pray with our hearts, souls and minds, asking God to guide us all to restore peace and sanity. American Muslims condemns this violent crime and urge the law enforcement agencies to track down all possible links to these violent acts, if any. It is time for the law enforcement officials to investigate the backgrounds of the suspected individuals to understand the sources and causes for their vigilant and criminal behavior, as it is a serious breach of security and to take corrective measures. As fellow Americans and fellow Muslims, it is our duty and collective responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen. Hate is one of the many sources of disrupting the peace in a society and it is the duty of all of us to track down the source of such hate and work on mitigating it.”
Washington DC: Anti-ISIS Rally by Muslims at Lincoln Memorial (Source: News and Views)
On November 20 2015, in Washington DC, Muslims gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to make a statement that they reject the violence, hatred, intolerance, and terrorism of violence. This was also organized by the American Muslim Institution. As reported by News and Views, the Muslim activists made statements condemning ISIS as “evil” and not representing Islam, reporting that “American Muslims gathered on the steps of Lincoln Memorial Friday to condemn the ISIS terror, and reinforce Islam’s message of peaceful coexistence.” “In their speeches and slogans, participants said the ISIS hateful ideology of violence does not represent Islam since it goes against Islam’s message of peaceful coexistence and respect for human life.” Mike Ghous, executive director of American Muslim Institution, stated “We are taking a small step to condemn them, to send a message to ISIS and terrorists that we do not approve them. We do not accept them because they are evil.”
In addition, also on November 20, 2015, about 100 people gathered in Lafayette Square in Washington DC, across the street from the White House, with candles, American flags and banners that read “Muslims Condemn Terrorism,” and “American Muslims Against ISIS.”
Anti-ISIS Rally by American Muslims Against ISIS – 100 at Lafayette Park – gathered outside the White House (Source: WTOP/Michelle Basch)
In addition, R.E.A.L.’s December 3, 2015 posting, we pointed to numerous Muslim women who rejected extremism in the Al Huda groups. There is a continuing, but rarely publicized, movement by Muslim women and men to challenge rigidity and extremist views.
R.E.A.L. urges continuing public statements and specific rejection of ISIS, its ideology, and its terrorist tactics by Muslim activists, as well as non-Muslim activists.
As many have said, we are all in this together.
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However, what many in the West are not as well aware of is how much the ISIS terrorist organization has targeted and attacked Muslims, Muslim activities, and Muslim mosques. As we have reported elsewhere, ISIS has waged a global war against Muslims.
As we have reported numerous times, Muslim around the world have condemned the attacks by the ISIS terrorist group which has frequently targeted Muslim groups globally. The frequency of such ISIS terrorist attacks against other Muslims is so common and so regular, we don’t begin to suggest we are covering them all, and frequently are forced to posting on Twitter of such regular attacks by ISIS on other Muslims.
But among those we have posted about, R.E.A.L. has reported of ISIS terrorist attacks against Muslims on:
— Syria – ISIS Terrorist Massacre of Civilians in Terror Attack Killing over 145 on the Syrian town of Kobani and a nearby village
ISIS terror group killed at least 145 civilians in Kobani, Syria, including children, women, elderly
— Bangladesh – ISIS Terrorist Attack on Mosque in Bogra, Shooting at 20 Worshipers During Prayers – killing 1 and wounding 3
ISIS Terrorist Attack on Muslim Mosque in Bogra, Bangladesh – November 26, 2015
— Saudi Arabia – ISIS Terrorist Bomb Attack On Mosque During Prayers – killing 13 and wounding 22
ISIS Terrorist Bombing on Saudi Mosque in Abha – August 6, 2015
Injured Victims of ISIS Terror Attack on Mosque – mir of Asir Prince Faisal Bin Khaled visits the injured at a hospital in Abha, Thursday (Source: SPA)
— Iraq – ISIS terrorist bombing of Shiite Muslim market area in Iraq – with ISIS mass casualty murder of 60 Muslims
ISIS Truck Bomb on Muslim Neighborhood in Iraq – August 13, 2015
— Bangladesh – ISIS Terrorist Attack on Muslim Gathering Killing 14 Year Old Boy and Wounding Over 50 Muslims
ISIS Terrorist Bomb Attack on Shiite Muslim Procession in Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 24, 2015
— Kuwait – ISIS Terrorist Attack on Shiite Mosque of Al-Sadiq During Ramadan Prayers – Killing at Least 8, and Injuring Many
ISIS Cowards Attack Shiite mosque of Al-Sadiq during Muslim Ramadan Prayers
— Saudi Arabia – ISIS Terrorist Attack on Minority Shia Imam Hussein mosque
Saudi Arabia: ISIS Terrorist Attack on Minority Shia Imam Hussein mosque – Dammam (Source: Reuters)
— Iraq: ISIS burning to death 45 Muslims in an attack on Iraq village in western Iraq Al Anbar Governate’s town of al-Baghdadi
— Afghanistan – depraved murders of Afghanistan Muslims by ISIS
ISIS Terrorists in Afghanistan Murder Helpless Men
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Clearly, the ideology of ISIS terrorism is primarily as an enemy to the Muslim people. It makes sense that Muslims can and must continue to be the number one face of opposition to ISIS.
It is the primary responsibility of white Americans to fight and defy the hate and terrorist ideology of white supremacy (which over 100,000 U.S.A. soldiers died in fighting a war over), and we see white Americans in protests in our nation’s capital and around the nation to challenge white supremacists. Just as it would be wrong to judge all white Americans for the actions of white supremacists, including the vast majority which have fought and many given their lives to challenge white supremacist hate and terrorism, so we must respect those Muslims who reject, defy, and denounce the ISIS hate and terrorism.
We urge all, from all identity groups, and all religions, to be jointly Responsible for Equality And Liberty.