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French Muslim leaders denounce Islamic State, support Christian presence in Middle East

September 09, 2014

The most prominent Muslim leaders in France have joined in an unprecedented condemnation of the Islamic State’s persecution of Christians.

In a “Paris Appeal,” issued on September 9 at the Grand Mosque in Paris, the French Islamic leaders “unambiguously denounce these terrorist acts, which are crimes against humanity, and solemnly declare that these groups, their supporters, and their recruits cannot lay claim to Islam.”

The Paris Appeal condemns the “barbarians” for their brutality, and insists that “their rash calls for jihad and their campaigns to indoctrine young people are not faithful to the teachings and values of Islam.” The signatories commit themselves to opposing efforts by radical Islamic militants to recruit young European sympathizers. They proclaim “the inalienable right of their Christian brothers in the East…to stay and live on their land with dignity and security and to practice their faith freely.”

The Paris Appeal is signed by Dalil Boubakeur, the rector of the Grand Mosque of paris and president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith; Anouar Kbibech, the president of the Assembly of French Muslims; Abderrahmane Dahmane, the president of the Council of French Muslims; and several others.

 


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  • Posted by: - Sep. 10, 2014 12:40 AM ET USA

    Thanks to the French Muslims. Let us hope & pray that Muslims in other countries speak out against these barbarian acts.

  • Posted by: filioque - Sep. 09, 2014 10:47 PM ET USA

    Let's hope this is only the first such statement from Muslim leaders, religious and state. I think the recognition of the right to the free practice of Christianity (or any other faith) in Muslim lands might also be a first.

  • Posted by: shrink - Sep. 09, 2014 5:48 PM ET USA

    This is nice. Let's keep a close eye on how many French muslims get ratted out by the mosque leaders. The Boston bomber's mosque strongly "condemned" the Boston bombing, but some of its members have ended up fighting for ISIS. http://nypost.com/2014/09/07/jihadi-behind-beheading-videos-linked-to-notorious-us-mosque/

  • Posted by: - Sep. 09, 2014 2:26 PM ET USA

    Impressive, and only 2 days before the 13th anniversary of 9/11. Remarkable! Homeric!