Muslim scholars address Baghdadi

In an attempt to put distance between Islam and the extremist views of the Islamic State jihadist group (ISIL), more than 120 Muslim scholars and leaders have published an open letter addressed to ISIL leader Ibrahim Awwad Al-Badri, better known by his alias Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. The letter – signed by Sunni religious authorities from 39 countries – attempts to debunk ISIL’s claim that its actions are based in Islam, detailing why the religion forbids such acts as killing the innocent, resorting to jihad without an appropriate purpose, mistreating Christians and many others.