"They are savages!" Islamic Society of Milwaukee condemns execution of James Foley
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- "They are savages." That's how Muslims in the Milwaukee area describe the extremists responsible for the death of James Foley.
At the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, news of the death of the Marquette University graduate is tugging at emotions.
"It was a very disturbing video. The brutality and the savagery of what took place is something really beyond comprehension," said Othman Atta, Executive Director of the Islamic Society.
Executive Director Othman Atta says while nothing the extremist group ISIS does makes sense, one of the biggest thoughts of incomprehension -- how the group is using the Muslim religion to justify their actions.
"They claim to do it in the name of Islam, and I find that especially disturbing 'cause I know that my religion would never condone any of these heinous kinds of crimes. And the fact they are killing other Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, it totally goes against the basic fundamental beliefs of Muslims," said Atta.
Atta points out, most of the group's victims are Muslims across Syria and Iraq.
"They're not just killing people, they are blowing up Mosques, they`re just terrorizing anyone that disagrees with them," said Atta.
A dangerous minority, being condemned by Muslims around the world, who are not mincing their words when describing the extremists.
"Clearly these are criminals, they are savages, there really are no words to describe how these people are behaving and acting. Clearly they would not be something I would attach the name of my faith to," said Atta.
Atta relates ISIS to what the Ku Klux Klan is to Christians. He says there are several members of his congregation with family in Syria that are being directly affected by this group.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 20th, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee thanked James Foley for his dangerous work.
Here is the entire statement from the Islamic Society of Milwaukee:
Islamic Society of Milwaukee once again condemns ISIS and its barbaric behavior. Over the past two to three years, ISIS and the government of Bashar Al-Assad have slaughtered tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Syria. ISIS has also killed thousands of innocent Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, Yazidis and Christians in Iraq.
The murder of James Foley and the manner in which it took place was especially reprehensible. As a journalist, James Foley was giving voice to the thousands of innocent civilians who are the victims of tyrannical and evil forces. James Foley gave voice the Libyan people a few years ago and was captured and held by forces loyal to the Libyan dictator. At the time James Foley was captured in Syria, he was exposing the crimes that were being inflicted upon the innocent people of Syria.
The targeting and killing of innocent journalists must be condemned by all people of conscience, whether the murderers are ISIS, the Israeli government (who killed more than 12 journalists during their ongoing assault on the innocent people of Gaza), the illegal Egyptian government of Abdelfattah Al-Sisi (that has killed numerous journalists and continues to imprison others) or any other group.
We offer our condolences to the Foley family for their loss. James Foley honored us all and enriched all of us by his incredible bravery. We ask God to bless him for exposing the truth to the world.CLICK HERE to read more stories about James Foley on FOX6Now.com