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British Muslims condemn 'despicable' murder of Alan Hemmings

By staff writers
October 4, 2014

Muslim leaders in Britain and across the world have condemned as 'despicable' the apparent murder of aid worker Alan Hemmings.

On hundred prominent Muslim leaders were among those across the world who appealed for the release of Mr Hemmings by IS/ISIS.

A video has been released which appears to show his beheading by the renegade group in Syria.

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Dr Shuja Shafi, declared today: "This reported murder is a despicable and offensive act, coming as it does on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha.

"It is quite clear that the murderers of Alan Henning have no regard for Islam, or for the Muslims around the world who pleaded for his life.

"Alan was a friend of Muslims, and he will be mourned by Muslims.

"In this period of Hajj and this festival of Eid, Muslims remember the mercy of God and the emphasis God places on human life.

"Alan Henning's murderers have clearly gone against that spirit of Islam. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, called Mr Henning "a hero" and added that the "barbaric killing is an attack against all decent people around the world".

Earlier this week Mr Henning's distraught wife, Barbara, made a desperate plea to IS/ISIS to release him after he was shown in a video.

She said: "Some say wrong time, wrong place. Alan was volunteering with his Muslim friends to help the people of Syria. He was in the right place doing the right thing."

* Analysis and response to IS on Ekklesia: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/isis

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