Islamic State militants are rapists, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad: Branding IS militants as “bloody murderers” and “rapists”, MIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said on Thursday that the deadly deeds of Islamic State (IS) had nothing to do with Islam or its teachings.

He appealed to Indian Muslim youths to work for elimination of poverty instead, as that was the best jihad. He was speaking at a press conference held at the Jamia Nizamia Institution of Islamic Studies on the occasion of the centenary death anniversary of Hazrat Anwarullah Farooqui, founder of the 144-year-old institution.

Owaisi compared the Islamic State group with khawarij (deviants), who first emerged in the late 7th century and were particularly noted for adopting a radical approach, Mr Owaisi said, “What they have done so far, all Islamic scholars of various schools of thought have condemned it.”

He added, “The acts of terror perpetrated by the outfit are totally inhuman and are intended to tarnish the image of Islam. They have raped people, killed people. Not only killed, but in a bloody way they have decapitated bodies. They have burnt a person alive.”

Replying to a query regarding a youth from Hyderabad reportedly trying to join IS, he said none can break the law and youths should speak to religious scholars. “Why do you want to go there? There are many evils in your neighbourhood. Work to eliminate them,” he said.