Destroying important cultural artifacts in the name ofreligion is not new. Protestants destroyed statues theyconsidered idolatrous, or against their Christian faith in the 16th century.
Now, a video is showing members of the Islamic Stategroup destroying ancient treasures in Iraq. The groupcalled the treasures “un-Islamic.”
Senators spoke out against their actions at a recenthearing on Capitol Hill.
“This is not 1015 -- this is 2015. And as I speak peopleare being crucified, people are being burned alive,they’re being beheaded.”
Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from SouthCarolina, led the hearing on the Islamic State group. Itsleader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claims to be the caliph of a re-established medieval Muslim empire that existed hundreds of years ago.
Conservative Christian activist Jay Sekulow believes the Islamic claim isauthentic, or real.
“That’s what they call themselves. They call themselves the caliphate. Khalif(a) Ibrahim believes he’s the leader of worldwide Islam. So whatever wewanna call them, in one sense is irrelevant, because that’s who they are.”
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are struggling to find the best way to respond to themilitant groups. Meanwhile, public figures are debating over whether theIslamic State group should be seen as part of Islam, or a deviation from thefaith.
John Esposito is a professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
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“From my point of view, what, what you’ve got is the hijacking of religion.”
Professor Esposito says the militants misunderstand the command in theQuran to kill unbelievers wherever they find them.
“When that scripture was uttered, it had nothing to do with Christians andJews at that point. It had to do with pagan Meccans who were at that point persecuting Muslims. And God in the Quran was saying to them: If they’re fighting you, you have a right to fight back.”
Some observers say that Islam needs a Reformation, like when the Protestants separated from the Catholic Church. They say that such are formation would reject the traditional understanding of scripture.
But John Esposito warns that these observers should be careful what theywish for. After all, European history has had many conflicts over religious ideas and values.
“They’ll say: ‘Islam needs a Reformation.’ I sometimes say to some of my Muslim friends, what they’re really saying then is, genocide ought to take place, or close to it. Because we think of the Reformation as the Enlightenment and we forget the Hundred Years Wars.”
Mr. Esposito says throughout time, people have used religion to support political power and warfare.
I’m Anne Ball.
Jerome Socolovsky reported this story from Washington. Anne Ball adaptedit for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.
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Words in This Story
artifact – n. an object made by people in the past
idolatrous – adj. relating to idolatry, the worship of a picture or object as a god
empire – n. a group of countries or areas that are controlled by one ruler
authentic – adj. real, not copied or false
deviation – n. an action or behavior that is different from what is usual or expected
Now, it’s your turn. Tell us what you think. Is the Islamic State truly Islamic?Leave a comment below.
