This is with reference to the report “Beheading of Egyptian Copts in Libya decried” (Feb. 17). The report along with the picture showing Egyptians in orange jumpsuits was heart-rending. How long this barbarity will continue? However, one must applaud Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi’s response to this cruelty. It is heartening to note that Egypt attacked IS targets in Libya to root out this evil force. We, Muslims, strongly condemn the killings of innocent people belonging to different religions. Our religion does not sanction the killings of any innocent person whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

The IS brutes rub salt to the wound by releasing videos of their brutality. Imagine the feelings of the family members who watch their loved ones getting slaughtered by these terrorists.

Now, I am beginning to believe the conspiracy theories about the true motives of the terrorist organizations like the self-proclaimed Islamic State and the Boko Haram, which have surpassed all their predecessors in their cruelty. They are operating in the name of Islam but their main objective is to deliberately paint a negative picture of our religion. It is due to their abhorrent actions that Islamophobia is spreading in the West and elsewhere in around the world. It is high time that the majority of Muslims realized this heinous plot against Islam and Muslims and took strong action to extirpate these elements.

I also take this opportunity to hail Jordan for stepping up its efforts against these murderers. It is really mind-boggling to see almost every Muslim country in turmoil. Isn’t it time for various Muslim organizations to chalk out a strategy to clean this mess? We should stop expecting any solution to this problem coming from the West. It is our problem and we need to rise to the occasion and take action against the elements hell bent on distorting the image of Islam and Muslims. We should forge unity among our ranks and set aside our petty differences for the greater good of the Ummah.