A Denunciation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's Attack on a Church in Raqqa

Press Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

September 28, 2013

The Syrian Coalition strongly condemns the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's attack on the Church of the Annunciation in Raqqa, as well as the group’s attempt to make the church a military headquarters. What ISIS is doing goes against the holy teachings of Islam. It goes against all codes of ethics and against the right to equal citizenship. It infringes upon the basic human right of freely practicing religious rites. It is a complete disregard to holy sites and religious and cultural heritage.

ISIS in no way represents the aspirations of the Syrian people. It does not respect the principles of the great Syrian revolution. As the Assad regime targets mosques and churches, destroying the Syrian people’s cultural and religious heritage, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant now mimics Assad's targeting of churches and turning them into military headquarters.

The Syrian Coalition reiterates its full commitment, before God and the Syrian people, to protect all rights of Syrians regardless of their political, religious, or ethnic backgrounds. It also pledges to prosecute those who have committed such heinous crimes as attacking holy places.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.