"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: