As the world reacts to a second beheading of an American journalist, a South Woodford imam has condemned the “barbaric and inhumane acts” of Islamic State.
Dr Mohammed Fahim, of South Woodford Mosque, Mulberry Way, recently invited Metropolitan Police commander Mak Chishty, a Muslim, to address two congregations of 250 people each about the ongoing violence in Syria and Iraq during Friday prayers.
Dr Fahim said: “Islam is against these barbaric and inhumane acts which have been taking place.
“There are no sensible people supporting Islamic State (IS).
“At our mosque, we lecture them regularly to say that this is not our religion - it is not allowed, it is something that we distance ourselves from.”
On Tuesday, an IS video purporting to show the murder of a second journalist was released, just days after US cameraman James Foley was also killed in Iraq.
Dr Mohammed Fahim added he supported the fatwa - a Islamic religious ruling - issued last weekend, before the beheading of Steven Sotloff.
The fatwa is the strongest denunciation yet from the Muslim community in this country.
Dr Fahim added: “Islamic State as an army cannot pose a threat to this country, but when you talk about individuals coming back from the fighting who may have been brainwashed they may act in a different way.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here