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Muslim outrage grows against Islamic State as leaders denounce ‘evil’ violation of faith Muslim outrage grows against Islamic State as leaders denounce ‘evil’ violation of faith
(35 minutes later)
Declarations of outrage and calls for Islamic punishment echoed across the Muslim world on Wednesday as many leaders united to denounce the Islamic State and the grisly images of a Jordanian pilot burned to death by the militants. BEIRUT — Declarations of outrage and calls for Islamic punishment echoed across the Muslim world on Wednesday as many leaders united to denounce the Islamic State and the grisly images of a Jordanian pilot burned to death by the militants.
While nearly all Muslim officials have previously denounced the Islamic State and other extremists — including last month’s terrorist slayings in Paris -- the spectacle of an Arab pilot set ablaze inside a cage brought some of the harshest reactions.While nearly all Muslim officials have previously denounced the Islamic State and other extremists — including last month’s terrorist slayings in Paris -- the spectacle of an Arab pilot set ablaze inside a cage brought some of the harshest reactions.
It also appeared to further galvanize influential Islamic scholars and opinion-shapers against the militant group, whose past atrocities include beheadings of foreign captives and abuses against religious minorities such as Christians and Yazidis.It also appeared to further galvanize influential Islamic scholars and opinion-shapers against the militant group, whose past atrocities include beheadings of foreign captives and abuses against religious minorities such as Christians and Yazidis.
But there were questions about whether Muslims nations would step up with more support for the U.S.-led coalition waging airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
In Cairo, the head of Sunni Islam’s most respected center of learning, Al-Azhar, said the Islamic State militants merit punishments under Islamic law such as “killing, crucifixion or chopping of the limbs.”In Cairo, the head of Sunni Islam’s most respected center of learning, Al-Azhar, said the Islamic State militants merit punishments under Islamic law such as “killing, crucifixion or chopping of the limbs.”
“Islam prohibits the taking of an innocent life,” said the Al-Azhar grand sheik, Ahmed al-Tayeb, in a statement.“Islam prohibits the taking of an innocent life,” said the Al-Azhar grand sheik, Ahmed al-Tayeb, in a statement.
Just hours earlier, Jordan executed two convicted Iraqi terrorists in swift retaliation for the video showing the death of Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh. Jordanian officials say he was killed Jan. 3.Just hours earlier, Jordan executed two convicted Iraqi terrorists in swift retaliation for the video showing the death of Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh. Jordanian officials say he was killed Jan. 3.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned what he called the “cowardly” act, describing the Islamic State as a “criminal organization that has no ties to our religion.”Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned what he called the “cowardly” act, describing the Islamic State as a “criminal organization that has no ties to our religion.”
Iyad Madani, the secretary general of the largest Muslim political bloc, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, strongly condemned the killing as an affront to the faith.Iyad Madani, the secretary general of the largest Muslim political bloc, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, strongly condemned the killing as an affront to the faith.
The Islamic State “utterly disregards the rights of prisoners Islam has decreed, as well as the human moral standards for war and treatment of prisoners,” Madani said.The Islamic State “utterly disregards the rights of prisoners Islam has decreed, as well as the human moral standards for war and treatment of prisoners,” Madani said.
He also lamented the “depth of malaise” in parts of the Middle East, along with the “intellectual decay, the political fragmentation and the abuse of Islam, the great religion of mercy.”He also lamented the “depth of malaise” in parts of the Middle East, along with the “intellectual decay, the political fragmentation and the abuse of Islam, the great religion of mercy.”
Across the Gulf Arab nations, leaders joined in statements of condemnations.Across the Gulf Arab nations, leaders joined in statements of condemnations.
The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called the Kaseasbeh killing “a brutal escalation by the terrorist group, whose evil objectives have become apparent.”The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called the Kaseasbeh killing “a brutal escalation by the terrorist group, whose evil objectives have become apparent.”
The UAE, along with Jordan, have led Arab participation in the U.S.-led airstrikes against the Islamic State. The UAE, along with Jordan, have taken part in the U.S.-led airstrikes against the Islamic State.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, said the “vicious” act trampled Islam.Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, said the “vicious” act trampled Islam.
In Qatar, a foreign ministry statement called it “a criminal act contravening the tolerant principles of the Islamic faith, human values and international laws and norms.”In Qatar, a foreign ministry statement called it “a criminal act contravening the tolerant principles of the Islamic faith, human values and international laws and norms.”
Elias Farhat, former general Lebanese military, said the pilot’s killing — and the widespread backlash — has now “practically forced” Jordan to mobilize a strong response as part of the international coalition.
“The killing in such a brutal way was a big surprise and shock to the Jordanians and to others in the region,” he said. “I think we’re at a turning point now in terms of public perceptions” of the Islamic State.
But others doubt whether it will bring in stir more Muslim participation in the U.S.-led force from nations that has so far stayed on the sidelines, such as Turkey.
“The killing’s impact on the coalition will not really be a game-changer because the participation of countries depends on a variety of issues that are specific to each country,” said Elias Hanna, a retired Lebanese general who teaches geopolitics at the American University of Beirut.
He added: “We won’t see Arab boots on the ground, that’s for certain.”
Iran has repeatedly denounced the Islamic State, but also has bristled at U.S. snubs of Tehran’s offer to join the international coalition fighting the militants.Iran has repeatedly denounced the Islamic State, but also has bristled at U.S. snubs of Tehran’s offer to join the international coalition fighting the militants.
Washington “lacks sincerity” in its call to mobilize all forces against the Islamic State, Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Hossen Amir Abdollahian, the deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs.Washington “lacks sincerity” in its call to mobilize all forces against the Islamic State, Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Hossen Amir Abdollahian, the deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs.
Murphy reported from Washington.