Local Muslim leaders fear James Foley’s brutal beheading will cause backlash over actions of ‘lunatics’
MUSLIM leaders in Australia condemned the beheading of American journalist James Foley amid fears it will spark a backlash against local Muslim communities.
MUSLIM leaders in Australia condemned the beheading of American journalist James Foley amid fears it will spark a backlash against local Muslim communities.
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“These guys are lunatics,” said Dr Ameer Ali, former chairman of the Federation of Islamic Councils.
The video was posted on YouTube showing the journalist kneeling on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. A black-clad Islamic State executioner is then seen cutting off his head.
“They are talking about a caliphate but really they are just a medieval, barbaric group who have nothing to do with Islam,” said Dr Ali.
“This is going to create problems for Muslims in Australia. I would like the imams to come out openly and condemn this group before the cameras and in their sermons.”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott s told Brisbane’s 4BC radio: “It’s absolutely sickening, absolutely despicable.”
Although he had not seen the video he said he was appalled.
“It’s a sign that there can be no compromise whatsoever with the murderous terrorists of the ISIL movement. This is as near to pure evil as we are ever likely to see.”
A spokesman for the Grand Mufti of Australia, Professor Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, pointed to his earlier comments on beheadings and said his position had not changed.
Just days ago he said: “It is utterly deplorable for extremists to use Islam as a cover for their crimes and atrocities. Their misguided actions do not represent the overwhelming majority of Muslims who emulate the pure teachings of Islam such as justice, mercy and freedom.”
Islamic community leader Dr Jamal Rifi said: “I picked up my iPad this morning and read there had been a beheading and thought ‘oh no, not again’.
“From their actions there is a backlash against all Muslims, but none of their actions or ideology are Islamic. Muslims in Australia are absolutely horrified by this.”
Even extremist Wassim Haddad, friend of homegrown terrorists Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar, struggled to comment on the brutal beheading.
“I don’t want to make a comment, the most I can say is that it is a war zone,” he said.
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