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Muslim Leaders in the West Wage Theological Battle, Stoking ISIS' Anger
(New York Times) Laurie Goodstein - Imam Suhaib Webb, a Muslim leader in Washington, has held live monthly video chats to refute the religious claims of the Islamic State. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, an American Muslim scholar based in Berkeley, has pleaded with Muslims not to be deceived by the "stupid young boys" of the Islamic State. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi, who runs an Islamic educational institute in Tennessee, argued that the terrorist attacks of recent years had clearly violated Islamic teaching because they "cause more harm than good....These radical groups have harmed the image of Islam infinitely more than all of the foreign policy of Western lands combined." The Islamic State, however, has taken notice. The group recently threatened the lives of 11 Muslim imams and scholars in the West, calling them "apostates" who should be killed. The recent issue of the ISIS online magazine Dabiq called them "obligatory targets," and said supporters should use any weapons on hand to "make an example of them." Several of the targeted Muslim leaders said in interviews that, while they were taking the threat seriously, they had no intention of backing off. They have hired security guards and fortified their workplaces, and some keep guns at home.