American Muslim Joint Statement on Crisis in Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2014

Introduction

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (alternatively translated as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), abbreviated as ISIL or ISIS, is an active Jihadist terrorist group with a mission to establish an illegal unrecognized state in Iraq and Syria under the auspices the Wahhabi movement[1][i]. This week, militants from the terrorist group attacked and overran several Iraqi cities, including one of Iraq’s most populous cities Mosul. The Iraqi military failed resoundingly to combat the terrorists, resulting in a speedy conquest of the cities and the capture of Iraqi police and security forces. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. Representatives of ISIL have stated an intention to attack Karbala and destroy it[1][ii]. In statements released before the attacks, ISIL declared its intention to assassinate Grand Ayatollah Sistani[1][iii].

Recent Timeline

On 5 June 2014, ISIS militants stormed the city of Samarra in Iraq before being ousted from the city by airstrikes from the Iraqi military. On 6 June 2014, ISIL militants carried out multiple attacks in the Iraqi city of Mosul. On 7 June 2014, ISIL militants took over the University of Anbar in Ramadi, Iraq and held 1300 students hostage before being ousted by the Iraqi military. On 9 June 2014, Mosul fell to ISIL control. The militants seized control of government offices, the airport, and police stations. On 11 June 2014, ISIL seized the Turkish consulate in the Iraqi city of Mosul and kidnapped the head of the diplomatic mission and several staff members. ISIL subsequently also seized the Iraqi city of Tikrit.[1][iv]

Statement

It is an undeniable reality that Iraq is in a state of crisis, and the international community has a moral responsibility to speak out and act against ISIL whilst demanding peace and safety for the people of Iraq. We, the below signed Shia scholars, community leaders, mosques, faith communities, and activists hereby call for an immediate resolution to the crisis, and the removal of ISIL from the country of Iraq.

We condemn, in the strongest terms, the violent statements and actions of ISIL, and believe that no legitimate cause can ever be accomplished by terrorism, violence against innocents, or through sectarian hatred. We reject the narrative espoused by the leadership of ISIL, and do not accept that this crisis is a war between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Instead, we stand firmly in solidarity with the countless members of the Shia and Sunni Muslim communities who call for a better Iraq. ISIL’s strategy of intimidation, abduction, torture and murder are antithetical to the teachings of Islam, and can never be supported by any rational person.

ISIL’s leadership and members must be brought to justice. The world community must spare no effort in opposing ISIL, and restoring security to the besieged regions of Iraq, and its displaced people.

We, as American Muslims, call for Iraq’s citizenry to be granted safety and security, without the fear of aggression from terrorist elements. We reiterate our support for the peace loving people of Iraq, whether they are Shia, Sunni, or from any other religious, ethnic, or historical community. The rule of law must be preserved in Iraq, and there must be a strong focus on preserving human rights throughout all of Iraq.

Signatories

1. Rev. Robert Moore Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action
2. Professor Juan Cole , Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History University of Michigan.
3. Dr Manzoor Rizvi
4. (Payam e Aman) Message of Peace
5. Muslim Foundation
6. Masjid-e-Ali
7. SANA
8. Professor Raza Mir, Cotsakos College of Business, William Paterson University
9. Council of Peoples Organization (COPO)
10. Anjuman -E- Ahlebayt , St Louis
11. Professor Zameer Hasan, Temple University Philadelphia
12. Al-Hakim Foundation
13. Al Kauser, New Jersey
14. Al-Khoei Center
15. Mustafa Akhwand
16. Saiyed Mehboob Mehdi Al-Najafi
17. Sayid Abdelsattar Almoussawi
18. Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini
19. Sheikh Fadel Al-Sahlani
20. Sayyid Haidar Bahar Al-Aloom
21. Baqee Organization
22. Council of Peoples Organization (COPO)
23. Freemuslim, Islamic Non Violence Organization
24. Imam Mahdi Education Center (IMEC), MD
25. Imamia Medics International (IMI)
26. Islamic Education Center, Husaini Assoc. of Greater Chicago (IEC Husseini)
27. Islamic Education Center of Orange County (IECOC)
28. Islamic Information Center (IIC)
29. Professor Terri Ginsberg (NY)
30. Dr. Jafar Jawad
31. Professor Hossein Kamaly, Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Dept., Columbia University, New York
32. Mainstay Foundation
33. Professor Khaleel Mohammed, Dept. of Religious Studies, San Diego State University, California
34. Moushumi Marufi Khan, Esq.
35. Muharram in Manhattan
36. Muslims for Peace (MFP)
37. Muslım Progressıve Tradıtıonalıst Allıance
38. Organization of North American Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Communities (NASIMCO)
39. Shia Rights Watch (SRW)
40. Stand with Dignity (www.standwithdignity.org )
41. Amer Raja, Esq.
42. Wizarat Rizvi
43. Dr. Ali Naqi (Naqvi) Syed (Chicago, IL)
44. Universal Muslim Association of America (UMAA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Hasan Ali, Director MFP | info@muslims4peace.org

[i] BBC News,. (2014). Profile: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24179084

[ii] ITV News,. (2014). ISIS urges ‘march to Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf’. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-06-12/isis-urges-march-to-baghdad-karbala-and-najaf/

[iii] Iraq Oil Report,. (2014). ISIL threatens to kill Sistani. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.iraqoilreport.com/daily-brief/isil-threatens-kill-sistani-12202/

[iv] YouTube,. (2014). UN Security Council Condemns ISIS in Iraq. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDm-DdK8z8