Indian Religious Scholar Condemns Sectarian Massacres In Iraq

New Delhi, June 21, IRNA – Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Iraq, an eminent Indian religious scholar Friday condemned the sectarian massacres by Al-Qaeda-sponsored militants in the country. In an exlclusive interview with IRNA, Maulana Syed Jalal Haider Naqvi, President of Shaheed Mottahhari Society in Delhi, said: “Recent attacks, massacre of innocent people and taking over of some Iraqi cities by the extremist Takfiri group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), is a direct threat to the security and territorial integrity of Iraq.ˈ He urged the Iraqi people to form unity and firmly stand united against this inhuman group. “Preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the country, which is in the interest of the regional and global peace,” added religious scholar. Jalal Haider, who is also the Joint Secretary of the Majlis Ulema-e-Hind, also urged the UN to take ˈquick and effective measuresˈ for the safety and security of innocent people of Iraq and the destruction of Iraqi state and religious sites. Noting that the conflict in Iraq has severely undermined the peace in the region, Naqvi said that some regional countries were responsible for supporting these groups financially and morally. He further noted that the assault on innocent Iraqi civilians deserves unreserved global condemnation. Stressing for unity among all Iraqi communites, Jalal Haider indicated that the continued offensive by the extremists, ISIL, could plunge the country into civil war. Indian religious scholar also appealed the extremists in Iraq to release the Indian workers, had gone there seeking livelihood in a legal way. Iraq is witnessing serious strife with Al-Qaeda backed militants, capturing various cities and marching towards the capital city, Baghdad./end