Boko Haram Kidnappers are Criminals

In spite of kidnappers’ claims ISCC considers them non-believers

(Toronto) The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and the Muslims Against Terrorism have strongly condemned the recent kidnapping of the school girls in Nigeria. Hundreds of girls were allegedly kidnapped by the members of a terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria. Although in the media the kidnappers’ are being reported as Muslims but every Muslim knows that kidnapping children (girls or boys) and selling them is against Islam. Islam abolished human trade 1400 centuries ago but if anyone who calls himself/herself Muslim and justifies slavery is dead wrong and commits a major crime in the eyes of Islam. It is the most deplorable un-Islamic criminal act and a major sin in Islam. Therefore, it is appropriate for us to declare Boko Haram kidnappers as non-believers regardless of what they call themselves.

“We urge all Muslim and non-Muslim governments to capture the members of Boko Haram immediately and bring them to justice. These criminals must be punished to the full extent of the Islamic law”, said Imam Syed Soharwardy, founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and the Muslim Against Terrorism.

ISCC urges the media not to associate Islam with these criminals. Muslims should not be held responsible for the crimes of few thugs who portray themselves as Muslims. Recent stories on the Canadian media about the Boko Haram have sometimes referred to them as an “Islamic group”. The appropriate term would be “Nigerian Terrorists”. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims would utterly reject Boko Haram’s goals, and certainly their horrific means. It is never appropriate to use the adjective “Islamic” for something that does not represent the definitive, universal understanding of the religion.

We pray to Allah to keep those girls safe and healthy and punish those who kidnapped them. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the families of kidnaped girls and pray for their safe return to their families.

For further questions, please contact Imam Soharwardy at 416-994-5467 OR 403-831-6330.

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