Sydney cleric defiant over threatening IS video

SBS World News Radio: A western Sydney cleric has promised to continue speaking out against the self-proclaimed Islamic State despite the group calling for his murder in a newly released video.

Sydney cleric defiant over threatening IS videoSydney cleric defiant over threatening IS video

Sydney cleric defiant over threatening IS video

The latest IS, or ISIS, video offers martyrdom to anyone prepared to kill those who discourage its religiously inspired violence.

And, in Sydney, Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman says he is not surprised it features what is a chilling personal threat against him.

"My message has always been the same and will continue to be the same. I will not be deterred. I will not turn away from what I've been calling for. I do say, and I'll continue to say, that ISIS is a deviant cult. They do not represent the mainstream Islam. It's something that we've been saying in the past, and we'll continue to say that now and in the future. And the recent video that they released is proof and evidence on that, that they do not represent mainstream Islam. And the victims of this cult are Muslims, and particularly from the Sunni denomination. Their track record proves that. A lot more Muslims have been killed at the hands of ISIS than anyone else."

The Sheikh works with young people and tries to steer them away from crime with a positive message.

He says he believes the fact IS has targeted him is a sign he is having some success.

"I have spoken about and against ISIS, and I've got a lot of lectures on YouTube given in my public gatherings. And in my lectures, I've always spoken against ISIS, and I could see the ratings of them. On Facebook, on YouTube, hundreds of thousands of people had watched those videos, and hundreds of thousands of people had responded back to me. And I could see the changes within the community regarding this. I could see a huge difference. And people are listening."

The graphic 25-minute IS video, now removed from the video-sharing website YouTube, identifies clerics from around the world the group has earmarked for execution.

It shows a range of grotesque images and encourages followers to take action against Muslim figures opposed to IS.

"Their blood is filthier than that of the intelligence agencies and informers. I swear by God you killing them is more desirable than killing the police."

Greg Barton is a professor in Global Islamic Politics at Melbourne's Deakin University.

He says the video is part of a wider IS strategy to encourage small-scale or individual "lone wolf" attacks as the group's militants continue to lose ground in fighting in Iraq and Syria.

"Singling out individuals and trying to crowdsource people who have come forward and attempted an attack is exactly what Islamic State's good at, so I think we have to expect, in 2017, we'll see a lot more attempts in this direction."

For his part, Sheik Shady says he is unconcerned by the threats.

But while he says he is confident law-enforcement agencies will keep him safe, he concedes he may have to take more precautions in his daily life.

 






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