العربيةGroups join forces in condemning religious extremism and terrorism
Global Pulse staff
March 26, 2015
Italy
A coalition of Catholic and Shiite Muslim leaders strongly condemned terrorist acts by radical Islamic groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State. “Religious leaders who legitimize violence are neither religious, nor are they being leaders,” said Maytham Al-Salman, head of an interfaith center in Bahrain, reported Crux. “Those who promote diversity, acceptance of others, love and mercy, are the true religious leaders.”
Al-Salman said Islam has been hijacked by radical groups that use scripture to justify terrorism and human rights violations. His remarks were released March 24 following a Rome summit organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic movement that specializes in conflict resolution and ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, as well as the Iraq-based Al-Khoei Foundation. Its purpose was to consider the “responsibility of the faithful in a plural world toward peace.”