A group of Western mothers whose children have joined the Islamic State group and other extremists in Syria and Iraq appealed Wednesday for them to return home, quoting from the Qur’an.
The group has Muslim and non-Muslim members from seven countries including Canada, France and the United States.
In an open letter posted on social media websites, members of Mothers for Life called on their sons and daughters to recall that Islam requires them to honour their parents and spare them suffering.
“Even if you think death will give you that ‘better’ life, remember that even the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Paradise lies at the feet of your mother,’” the group said. “By leaving us against our will to give up your own life and take those of others, you have put our struggle, pain and honour under your feet and walked over it.”
Thousands of young Western men and women have joined the Islamic State group in recent years after being recruited by other extremists, often operating online.