Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen |
ISIS is not the first group to use religious rhetoric to mask its cruelty -Al Qaeda did so 13 years ago and Boko Haram more recently. What they all have in common is a totalitarian mentality that denies human beings their dignity.
I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased in Iraq and Syria, and to the families of James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines. May God give them strength, patience and perseverance, and alleviate their suffering. I also pray for the immediate and safe release of hostages and ask God, the Merciful, to lead us all toward mutual respect and peace. I invite everyone around the world to join me in this prayers.
Fethullah Gulen
Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate
Published on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune on 17 September 2014, Wednesday
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