NCCM denounces ISIS call to attack Canadians, Westerners

Calls recent audio message “repulsive”

(Ottawa – September 22, 2014) Following the release of an audio recording attributed to ISIS, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties & advocacy organization, again condemns the terror group’s actions and messages as “repulsive” and “un-Islamic”.

“The NCCM once again joins Muslims across Canada and around the world in reaffirming its categorical condemnation of violent extremism and terrorism of any kind. Nothing can justify such actions.

“We emphasize the sacredness of life and reject any express statement or tacit insinuation that anyone should harm innocent people. Our message to anyone who espouses, endorses, or in any way supports this ideology of violence, is that your actions have nothing to do with our faith.

“Any invitation to commit acts of terrorism, including the statement most recently attributed to ISIS, is both wholly un-Islamic and deeply repulsive to Canadian Muslims, as it is to all of Canada. It is both a civic duty, as well as an Islamic obligation, to contact the authorities if one has any information about plans to hurt or harm anyone.”

In July 2005, the NCCM coordinated a national statement by over 120 Canadian Imams which condemned terrorism and religious extremism. In August 2010, the Canadian Council of Imams (CCI) issued another declaration echoing the same message.

More recently on June 4, 2014, the NCCM called upon Canadian Muslim communities to renew their efforts to combat radicalization towards extremist violence and on August 22nd the NCCM joined the CCI in specifically denouncing ISIS and its violent extremism.

CONTACT: Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, 613.853.4111

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