Imam network launches site to counter Isis propaganda

Source: The Guardian


Imams and Muslim community leaders have launched an online magazine in an effort to counteract “poisonous” views peddled by Islamic State.

Haqiqah (Reality) aims to show young people tempted by Isis propaganda that the extremist group’s message has no theological basis. It is the work of ImamsOnline.com, a network of religious leaders in the UK.

“The frontline for imams in the 21st century is not the pulpit, it is online, on social media, on YouTube, on Twitter,” said the site’s editor, Shaukat Warraich. “There is a perception that Islamic institutions are not doing enough to fight against Isis but this is clearly evidence that imams are coming together to make themselves heard. British imams in particular are saying we are going to take this on.”

Between June and August eight people a day were referred to the government’s deradicalisation programme Channel. Qari Asim, senior imam at the Makkah mosque in Leeds, said the community was determined to be proactive in countering extremism.

“Any solution to the problem of extremism has to come from the community,” he said. “The Muslim community has suffered more at the hands of these extremists than anyone else. It is not in our interests at all to condone what they are saying, it brings our faith into disrepute, it poisons our young people and it fuels anti-Muslim sentiment.”

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/08/imam-network-website-counter-isis-propaganda-haqiqah