ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – An anti-ISIS imam inside the militants’ stronghold of Mosul has released a taped sermon in which he denounces the Islamic State and declares the city’s population is being held captive.
Abu Saeed Mousli, in an exclusive recording obtained by Rudaw, used the secret sermon to assure the groups preparing to attack Mosul that the city’s residents were not on the side of ISIS.
"We are far from being supporters of Abu Baki al-Baghdadi's men because of their crimes. And they cause corruption, killing our Kurdish brothers, Egyptians, Jordanians, Libyans and many other Muslims," Mousli said.
The cleric started his speech with a traditional hadith, or saying, of the Prophet Mohammad and goes on to declare ISIS abandoning the values of true Islam.
"ISIS distorted the image of Islam, while we all know the Islamic religion was established on the bases of justice and mercy," he said.
Mousli accused ISIS of destroying Mosul and other cities in Iraq and Syria.
"Poverty, hunger, disease and threats of violence have faced our cities, and some other cities have been completely demolished. They made people flee their homes, killed innocent Muslims and looted their homes. They declare that all those who do not agree with them are infidels,” he said.
Mousli decried the ISIS tactics of beheading and burning captives alive and promised: “We will stand up against those who are hostile towards Muslims."
The tape, titled "The statement of Mosul’s captives," also sent a message to the international coalition formed to fight ISIS and the Iraqi forces that will likely spearhead the drive to liberate the city.
"We are all taken captive by ISIS. Not all the people in Mosul belong to ISIS," he said.
"I hope you all know very well that the people of Mosul are always praying to get rid of ISIS. And they pray to God for a peaceful future.
Therefore, liberate them from this trauma."
Abu Saeed Mousli, in an exclusive recording obtained by Rudaw, used the secret sermon to assure the groups preparing to attack Mosul that the city’s residents were not on the side of ISIS.
"We are far from being supporters of Abu Baki al-Baghdadi's men because of their crimes. And they cause corruption, killing our Kurdish brothers, Egyptians, Jordanians, Libyans and many other Muslims," Mousli said.
The cleric started his speech with a traditional hadith, or saying, of the Prophet Mohammad and goes on to declare ISIS abandoning the values of true Islam.
"ISIS distorted the image of Islam, while we all know the Islamic religion was established on the bases of justice and mercy," he said.
Mousli accused ISIS of destroying Mosul and other cities in Iraq and Syria.
"Poverty, hunger, disease and threats of violence have faced our cities, and some other cities have been completely demolished. They made people flee their homes, killed innocent Muslims and looted their homes. They declare that all those who do not agree with them are infidels,” he said.
Mousli decried the ISIS tactics of beheading and burning captives alive and promised: “We will stand up against those who are hostile towards Muslims."
The tape, titled "The statement of Mosul’s captives," also sent a message to the international coalition formed to fight ISIS and the Iraqi forces that will likely spearhead the drive to liberate the city.
"We are all taken captive by ISIS. Not all the people in Mosul belong to ISIS," he said.
"I hope you all know very well that the people of Mosul are always praying to get rid of ISIS. And they pray to God for a peaceful future.
Therefore, liberate them from this trauma."
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