Contrary to what is being reported in the secular press, Muslims worldwide have been speaking out to protest atrocities in the Middle East as well as the ideology of the Islamic State, according to a leading Catholic interreligious leader.

Bishop Denis Madden, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, said, “Our Muslim colleagues are in fact lending their voice to ours at this very moment. Such support is an encouraging sign of real solidarity – a phenomenon that is sadly not given much attention in the popular press.”

The bishop pointed to a statement from the Islamic Society of North America that denounces the terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) for its attacks on religious minorities and the destruction of their places of worship.

He also said the Muslim Public Affairs Council has strongly condemned the extreme and repugnant principles and actions of the Islamic State.

Finally, he said that the Imams Council of the Michigan Community Council has strongly condemned the actions of the Islamic State.

He explained that the Imams’ opinion is based upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and example of the prophet Muhammad, saying “ISIS’ actions of mass executions, ethnic cleansing of Christians and other religious minorities, desecration of their shrines, mosques and churches are against the teachings of Islam.”