British Muslims ask leaders, media to stop calling ISIS ‘Islamic State’
Some British Muslim leaders have called on Prime Minister David Cameron and other politicians to stop referring to the Sunni militant jihadist group as the “Islamic State” and have instead suggested the media and politicians begin using the name the “Un-Islamic State.” They even offered a new acronym, UIS.
In a letter to Cameron dated Sunday, leaders of prominent Muslim groups in the UK including the Islamic Society of Britain and the Association of Muslim Lawyers echoed President Obama’s description of the terrorist group that has beheaded two Americans and a Brit in recent weeks.
Their claim is that ISIS is being neither representative of Islam nor resembling a state.
“We do not believe the terror group responsible should be given the credence and standing they seek by styling themselves ‘Islamic State.’ It is neither Islamic, nor is it a State,” the British Muslim leaders wrote. “The group has no standing with faithful Muslims, nor among the international community of nations.”
“So we believe the media, civic society and governments should refuse to legitimize these ludicrous Caliphate fantasies by accepting or propagating this name,” the Muslim leaders wrote to Cameron.
“We propose that ‘Un-Islamic State’ (UIS) could be an accurate and fair alternative name to describe this group and its agenda – and we will begin to call it that,” the letter stated.
The Muslim leaders suggested convening a debate to “build a consensus” for an “alternative label” for politicians, the media and non-governmental organizations to use instead of the Islamic State “to ensure that we do not lend legitimacy to an organization that has none.”
“We are sure that most British Muslims would agree that Un-Islamic State is a considerably more fitting label for this poisonous group – and hope that our fellow citizens will join us in that,” the Muslim leaders wrote.