“All the Islamic institutions agree that Daesh is a non-Muslim group,” says Görmez, but that just yet again begs the question: why does this “non-Muslim group” have such appeal among Muslims that thousands of them from all over the world have traveled to Syria, Iraq and Libya to join it? And if Islam never orders a jihad which approves of bloodshed, what about the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud, and all the other battles that Islamic tradition says Muhammad participated in? Were they not jihads? What about the Qur’an’s directive to fight against Jews and Christians until they “pay the jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued” (Qur’an 9:29)? Are jihadis supposed to act like some collective Linda Sarsour and browbeat the non-Muslims into submission? Or is it just remotely possible that Mehmet Görmez is being disingenuous?
“Daesh has done ‘the most damage’ to Islam,” by Drew Parker, NewsFultonCounty.com, August 9, 2015:
ANKARA – Turkey’s head of religious affairs has spoken to Anadolu Agency about a new report his directorate has issued on the Daesh militant group.
Mehmet Gormez, speaking on Saturday, said the new research was aimed at informing the public about Daesh’s tactics, slogans, operations and interpretation of Islam.
The report is highly critical of the organization, denouncing its actions, saying: “All the deeds of this anomalous armed group which is targeting non-Muslims and the rules of Islam is terrorism.”
Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate has described Daesh’s “twisted” portrayal of Islam and its holy book, the Quran, to further its violent agenda in the Middle East.
Gormez said: “We are the first religious institution to draw attention for the Daesh threat.”
Calling all Islamic scholars and institutions to stand against Daesh, Gormez added: “The Islamic world should focus on nothing but this group who uses Islam as a tool [but] ignores Islamic methodology and principles.”
“When did jihad – meaning an end to oppression and corruption – turn into a term for a vulgar culture? Islam never orders a jihad which approves of bloodshed,” Gormez said.
The report says that it is Daesh which has done the most damage to Islam.
“All the Islamic institutions agree that Daesh is a non-Muslim group. They have done so much damage that a Muslim living in Australia is denounced as a terrorist by his own neighbor,” Gormez said.