Delmarva Muslim Leader Condemns ISIS Violence

By Dave Toth

A Delmarva resident and Imam from Africa is condemning the brutal ISIS killings that have dominated news headlines recently.

“This is not Islam. It is not how I understand Islam,” he said, while requesting that his identity be kept anonymous for security reasons. “It is very clear in the Qur’an, whoever kills one person is like killing all of humanity, and he who helps one person survive, is like helping all of humanity.”

A Sudanese, African born native, he holds a Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies in addition to a Certification of Memorization of the Qur’an, which he said is only held by about 1 in 1,000 Muslims among the currently estimated 1.6 billion who are active worldwide.Referencing the Qur’an, he emphasized that memorization and understanding are necessary in order to benefit from its message.

He was also quick to distance himself from the terrorists known as ISIS when asked about the relationship he shared to them as a Muslim. The Imam also described the ISIS killings and world violence as being much the same. Describing ISIS to be more like others who commit brutal violence as a common evil presence that exists anywhere in the world, he asked for others to consider violence and brutality unacceptable in any society, and that it is also unacceptable when used against other religions.

“We are not allowed to force anyone to change their religion. That is in the Qur’an. Islam is an open invitation to everybody, but you should not use force,” he said. “The people are free to follow you or to forget about you.”

When asked about Sharia or Islamic Law and its controversial place in America, the Imam expressed an interest in seeing it have a place if people were voluntarily willing to adopt it, while he also suggested that Islam like other religions such as Catholics, Jewish, or Buddhists, are always interested in increasing their membership through active recruitment.

The Imam agreed Muslims are reluctant to speak out against terrorism, and stated he thinks Muslims have been slow to speak because of news media tension which has left many Muslims feeling pressured to apologize.

“I personally think the media and others demand Muslims apologize. This is not fair at all. I should not apologize for something I did not do,” he said

In discussing the burning of a Jordanian pilot that influenced outrage among some Muslims globally the Imam expressed only general disapproval.

“They consider him not a Muslim,” he said, describing ISIS militants’ actions against a fellow Muslim. “They consider him ‘murtadd,’ or somebody who backed away from Islam and now doesn’t deserve to be a Muslim.”

Opposing the concept of one Muslim declaring another person a non-Muslim, the Imam also denounced ISIS for their handling of the Jordanian pilot stating that “only God has the right to judge.”

In looking at the whole picture of the worldas Middle East tension continues to escalate amid increased terrorism activity, the Imam remained sternly focused on his own peaceful approach, while expressing support for opposition to terrorism.

“My peaceful way is stronger than bombing,” he said. “But, we need the law in order to live in peace.”

In an attempt to put Muslims, Christians and other religions all closer together, with each having their own place in the world, he said, “We should think of the world as one place and accept people as they are. We all come from the same God.”