US welcomes Indian Islamic clerics' fatwa against ISIS

The US on Wednesday welcomed the "fatwa" issued by more than 1,000 Islamic clerics against the Islamic State terming the actions of the dreaded terrorist group "un-Islamic and inhuman." 

"We welcome reports that Muslim community leaders and clerics in India have condemned ISIS," State Department spokesperson Helaena White told PTI.

Such a message coming from Muslims of India, which has the second largest Muslim population of the world, is considered by the US a key message against IS, which in recent months has made deep inroads not only in the Middle-East but also expanding its influence in South Asia.

"We value efforts to counter ISIS's message, particularly raising awareness of the detrimental effects ISIL recruitment efforts have on youth," White said.

"We are constantly pushing back on ISIS's message of hatred, as are our partners in the Coalition. We welcome statements from religious and political leaders around the world denouncing ISIS and exposing its un-Islamic nature, and encourage further sustained outreach to vulnerable populations," White added.

A Muslim activist in India recently claimed that scores of Muftis, Imams and Islamic scholars have issued a fatwa against the leaders, fighters and followers of ISIS and termed its actions as against the basic tenets of Islam.

Abdur Rahman Anjaria, President of the Mumbai's Islamic Defence Cyber Cell, in a statement claimed that over 1,050 Indian Islamic scholars and clerics have issued the fatwa against the ISIS saying that its views were "un-Islamic and inhuman."