Imams urge British Muslims not to join foreign jihad

Religious leaders have called on British Muslims not to travel to Syria and Iraq to join militant groups, including Isis.

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British Muslims 'must unify against sectarian violence'

Leading Imams have called on British Muslims to show unification in the face of sectarian fighting in a letter urging readers not to join militant groups in Syria and Iraq.

The open letter stressed "the value of unity and perseverance" among all branches of Muslims in a Ramadan appeal for peace.

As we near the end of the first week of Ramadan our message is simple, we have come together to urge British Muslim communities not to fall prey to any form of sectarian divisions or social discord.Here in the UK we are Sunnis and Shias, brothers in Islam - and brothers in Britain too.

– Qari Mohammed Asim, imam at Leeds Makka Mosque

Muslim leaders: 'Don't join militant fighters'

A gunman loyal to the ISIL militants waves the group's flag in Syria Credit: Reuters

Leading British Muslims have urged British followers of the faith not to join militant fighters in Syria and Iraq.

More than 100 imams signed an open letter urging against travel to join jihadists in the Middle Eastern conflicts, many of whom are accused of carrying out terrorist atrocities.

The letter, timed to coincide with the festival of Ramadan, called for British Muslims to support those affected by the Syrian conflict in a "in a safe and responsible way".

It comes after concerns about an exodus of sympathisers travelling to join jihadists, posing a potential threat to British security if and when they return.

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