“No religion condones the killing of innocents, and the vast majority of [ISIS’s] victims have been Muslim,” President Barack Obama said. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) straddles the border between the two counties. This is much larger than geographical territory. ISIS is saying “We are Islam!” ISIS is not a group of Muslims that are trying to advocate the meaning of Islam; they are terrorist. Terrorists are people who use terrorism in the pursuit of political aims. Obama continues on by saying ““[ISIS] is a terrorist organization, pure and simple. And it has no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way.”ISIS is reaching out to Muslims all around the world to try to get them to join ISIS and threatening the lives of those who are choosing to be against them. A terrorist group, ISIS should not be associated with Islam because of their misuse of  verses from the Quran.ISIS is impoverishing the name of Islam by their actions, their execution of innocent people, and twisting what Islam says about Jihad.

"Slay them wherever you catch them" (Quran 2:191). This verse is clearly taken out of context and can be misinterpreted. “There are some specific verses that are very often ‘snipped’ out of context, either by critics of Islam discussing ‘jihadism,’ or by misguided Muslims themselves who wish to justify their aggressive tactics.” "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter... But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful... If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (2:190-193). “It is clear from the context that these verses are discussing a defensive war, when a Muslim community is attacked without reason, oppressed and prevented from practicing their faith. In these circumstances, permission is given to fight back -- but even then Muslims are instructed not to transgress limits, and to cease fighting as soon as the attacker gives up. Even in these circumstances, Muslim are only to fight directly against those who are attacking them, not innocent bystanders or non-combatants.”

Chopping off the heads of the innocent, burning alive a Muslim captive, raping and torturing women and children, ISIS has been making the headlines in newspapers all over the world. ISIS has been killing innocent people. For example, slain journalist’s family accuses ISIS leader of violating Islam with execution. “I have a message for Abu Bark al-Baghdadi. The month of Ramadan is the month of mercy. Where is your mercy?” family spokesman Barak Barfi told reporters(CNN Wire, Sep. 4,2014). It is forbidden in Islam to kill emissaries, ambassadors, and diplomats — hence it is forbidden to kill journalists and aid workers. ISIS is generally named and perceived as an Islamic group. Many people just assume that ISIS is basing their actions from the words of the Qu’ran, but in reality ISIS is doing quite the opposite.

Jihad in Islam is a purely defensive struggle. It is not permissible without the right cause, the right purpose, and the right rules of conduct. It is forbidden in Islam to force people to convert. It is forbidden in Islam to harm or mistreat Christians or any "People of the Scripture." ISIS is once again going against the laws of Islam and therefore should not identify themselves as Muslims.
ISIS does not represent Islam. Racism will never go away, but Muslims should not be held accountable for another extremist group. Just because members of ISIS shout God’s name while committing murder does not make their actions righteous. “Islam, as millions of Muslims can attest, is a peaceful religion that calls on its followers to choose community over conflict, or, as it says in Surah al-Hujurat of the Qur’an (49:13): ‘O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise [each other]).’”