To the Editor:

The Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley, in conjunction with Muslim organizations and scholars in the United States and throughout the world, are horrified and outraged by the atrocities being committed by the so-called Islamic State (IS).

On behalf of the Muslim community in the Lehigh Valley we strongly condemn IS. This group is claiming a "Caliphate" in areas of Iraq and Syria but in reality are comprised of thugs and killers and are an insult to Islam and to the Arab people.

A simple concept in our faith, as mentioned in the Quran, states there shall be no compulsion in religion (Surat al-Baqarah 2:256).

The killing of innocent non-Muslims is a perverse and diabolical interpretation of our faith.

We stand united with the Christian and Yazidi from Mosul and Sinjar area in Iraq and grieve for their suffering.

Muslims view the actions of IS as inhuman, un-Islamic and totally repugnant.

No religion condones the murder of children or the desecration of houses of worship.

We strongly condemn the action of IS and reject the claim that all Muslims are required to pay allegiance to its leader.

Kamran Siddiqui

Executive Committee

Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley