Ayotte Urges Muslim Leaders to Condemn ISIS' Radical Ideology

Press Release

This week, in a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the ideology of ISIS or Daesh, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte questioned a scholar of Islamic law and a survivor of ISIS atrocities regarding the need for Muslim leaders to speak out against ISIS.

Ayotte questioned Dr. Tarek Elgawhary, Director of Religious Studies Programs at the World Organization for Resource Development and Education, as well as Ms. Nadia Murad-a Yazidi human rights activist who endured systematic sexual abuse by members of ISIS. ISIS also murdered her mother and six of her brothers.

Ayotte joined Ms. Murad in calling ISIS' actions genocide. Ayotte also called on her colleagues to join her in supporting Senate Resolution 340 - which would express the sense of the Senate that ISIS's activities constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Ayotte: "Do you believe that leaders...in the Muslim world have described and have called out Daesh - in the way that you have described it today - as forcefully as they should?... Do you think that leaders in a position to influence what Islam truly stands for do you think they have been forceful enough in calling out...how Daesh is warping, as you have testified today, your religion?"

Dr. Elgawhary: "Yes and no. I think there are definitely those who are very outspoken... But I agree with you. More needs to be done. More voices need to be heard."
...

Ayotte: "I believe that Daesh has engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide..."

Ms. Murad (through an interpreter): "It's very important for us - that what happened to us - be acknowledged as a genocide... I would like these crimes to be legally recognized by you and I would like to be acknowledged and I would like you to look into the crimes the things that I've said today and the things that Daesh has done - not secretly - they have publicly have said they will do it and they did it..."

Ayotte: "I would just say there is a Senate Resolution, Resolution 340, which would call this for what it is - a genocide....I also would like us as a Congress to come together and declare this for what it is."

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