The Archbishop of Canterbury Rev Justin Welby stated that the recent series of terrorist atrocities in Europe pointed at a crucial need for understanding Islam, according to a report published in the Daily Telegraph.
Commenting on the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Welby said that Iraq and Levant’s claims that the attacks have “nothing to do with Islam” are unacceptable and not helping the efforts to combat and confront extremism.
Religious leaders should take the onus and responsibility for extremists operations who proclaim to follow their faith and try to understand the motivation behind their actions. This will be the only way to combat terrorism.
A series of high profile figures have asked for the term Islamic state to be dropped - using ISIL, ISIS and Daesh instead. They claim that the violent strategies followed by these groups are against Islamic teachings and should be used to legitimise the group’s own campaign. He called for a theological voice saying that religiously motivated violence cannot be treated solely as a political or security issue. Religious leaders have to stand up and take part in stopping this.
Welby also urged the European countries to find the Judeo-Christian roots of their culture to understand the mass disenchantment which led to the BREXIT vote in the UK. He was in favour of UK to remain in the EU and he said millions Greeks were suffering because of the actions of European decision-makers.
They urged Greece to join the euro on a false prospectus and ultimately turned to the country to become the biggest debtors in European history. The religious leaders have to get involved in resolving the socio-economic problems as well.
