First off, as someone who cares deeply about the true principles of Islam, I have to say that what these so-called “Islamic State-backed” groups are doing has nothing to do with our faith or legitimate Islamic political thought. Attacking innocent people in a place of worship—whether it’s a church, mosque, or anywhere else—is absolutely forbidden and condemned by every authentic Islamic teaching. Groups like ISIS and the ADF are only serving Western narratives about “Islamist extremism” and actually make it harder for Muslims to advocate for justice and self-determination in the political sphere. Their violence just gives more excuses for foreign intervention and the demonization of all Islamic movements, even the peaceful, democratic ones. Real Islamism is about uplifting society, fighting oppression, and creating a just system—not bloodshed or sectarian violence. My heart goes out to the victims and their families; this is a tragedy for all humanity. We need to be clear that these groups represent nobody but themselves and their twisted ideology, not the broader Islamic cause or its political aspirations.