Saudi grand mufti: Islamic alliance aims to defeat ISIS

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh said on Monday that the newly formed Islamic Military Alliance, led by the kingdom, aims to defeat ISIS.

In a telephone interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Asheikh said that the members of ISIS are tarnishing the image of Islam and Muslims.

“They cannot be considered as followers of Islam. Rather, they are an extension of Kharijites, who rose in revolt against the Islamic caliphate for the first time by labeling Muslims as infidels and permitting their bloodletting.”

Referring to a recent threat by ISIS leader against Israel, the grand mufti said: “This threat against Israel is simply a lie. Actually, Daesh is part of the Israeli soldiers,” he said using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.

This article was first published in the Saudi Gazette on Dec. 28, 2015.