Originally published in the Daily Herald
ISIS self-proclaims to be “The Islamic state of Iraq and al-Sham.” However, the reality is there is nothing Islamic about ISIS. Innocent civilians are dying and minorities such as Christians, Yazidi, Kurdish and Shiites have been targeted by ISIS.
Muslims follow Islam by the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The true teachings of Islam include the Holy Prophet Muhammad condemning persecution against Christians. In his letter to St. Catherine’s monastery: “Verily I … and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens and by Allah, I hold out against anything that displeases them.”
To address ISIS forcing people to comply with their doctrine, the Holy Quran sets a simple principle, “For you your religion, and for me my religion.” It explicitly clarifies this stance when it states “There is no compulsion in religion.” Therefore, ISIS has no Islamic basis. ISIS does not represent Islam nor does it represent me being an American Muslim.
