Islamic leaders denounce the ISIS atrocities

A very welcome development in efforts to foster peace and understanding between Islamic and Western nations is coming -- and it is much needed and long overdue.

Important Muslim leaders in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as the 57 member nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, are backing an internet and social media campaign to educate the public and to denounce the ISIS group that has been committing atrocities in Syria and Iraq.

The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sahwki Allam, has said that these extremists violate all Islamic principles and laws and are a danger to Islam.    Ibrahim Negm, as adviser to the mufti said that the campaign:

". . . aims to correct the image of Islam that has been tarnished in the West because of these criminal acts, and to exonerate humanity from such crimes that defy natural instincts and spread hate between people."

Eqypt's current president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, hoping to advance moderate Islam, decried those extremists who "believe that killing and bloodshed is the way to defend Islam."

Let's hope that this takes hold and spreads understanding.    Even our members of Congress need to hear this message, because mistrust and prejudice are widespread.

But it is especially painful to the millions of peaceful, gentle, and kind Muslim people living among us who suffer from the false image of their religion and their people.

Ralph