A Muslim group has expressed revulsion at the “barbaric” beheading of a British man by Islamic State terrorists in Syria.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA), based in Beckton, which represents members of the minority Ahmadi sect of Islam in Newham, called the murder of volunteer Alan Henning “evil”.

Basharat Ahmad Pir, president of the AMA, said: “The world is witness yet again to barbaric acts of inhumanity that have sent shockwaves around the world.

“Our revulsion is compounded by the fact that this evil is perpetrated under the name of faith.

“Alan was a man who gave his time to help others displaced by war.

“A noble act to save lives, despite knowing the danger to his life. His murder is heartbreaking and utterly deplorable.”

“The evil that ISIS perpetrates is the antithesis of all faiths.

“Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder with all others in an alliance of humanity to condemn this horrific act and this callous extremist group.”

The AMA, which has 500 members in Newham, is part of the umbrella group Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Its national president, Rafiq Hayat, said: “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, under the guidance of its Khalifa His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, stands united will all who reject extremism, and will continue to counter hatred with prayers and work to uphold the true peaceful message of Islam.”

Ahmadi Muslims follow the teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), who claimed to have come to fulfil Islamic prophesies.

For more information visit alislam.org

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