London Central Mosque Trust & The Islamic Cultural Centre

Condemnation of Beheading of U.S Journalist James Foley

Press Release

Wednesday 20th August 2014

The London Central Mosque Trust & The Islamic Cultural Centre condemns in the strongest possible terms all murder and criminal violent acts against innocent Muslims and Non-Muslim victims. This includes the recent horrific murder that has taken place in Iraq of the U.S journalist James Foley.

This is a barbaric, criminal act which must be condemned and is outside the fold of Islam.

Our thoughts are with the victim and his family at this time.

The Director General Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan said "we will not allow extremists and criminals to undermine the good work of the British Muslim community and to have it tainted by such shocking and depraved acts of terror which have no place in any religion."

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, the highest religious authority in the country, said on Tuesday the militant groups Islamic State and al Qaeda were "enemy number one of Islam" and not in any way compatible with the faith.

The Foreign Secretary Mr Hammond has warned that Britons could return and use the "skills and tradecraft" learned from the terrorists to pose a direct threat to "our domestic security here in the UK." It is vital that we as the British community not only prevent this from occurring but stop the radicalisation of vulnerable members of society by spreading the real teachings and principles of Islam.

We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred and evil do not prevail.

[ENDS]