Local Muslim Groups Condemn Kidnappings Of Nigerian Schoolgirls
WASHINGTON (WJZ)--Media advisers from the United States and around the world are heading to Nigeria to help find nearly 300 schoolgirls abducted by a terrorist group.
Top Muslim religious scholars are condemning the kidnapping of the girls. They say the terror group is twisting Islamic teachings to try to justify its actions.
Investigative reporter Mike Hellgren has more on the worldwide concern for those girls.
As pressure mounts--with the world's eyes watching--to find the missing Nigerian girls, dozens of local Muslim groups denounced Boko Haram, the so-called Islamic terrorist organization behind the kidnappings.
"We're also very upset about what is happening there and outraged that no one is doing anything about it," said Ahmed Bedier, United Voices president. "Islam is not the problem; extremism and violent extremism is the problem."
Folake Jalilah Kofo-Idowu is from Nigeria and is heartened by the concern--especially on Twitter--where a time lapse image shows the phrase "bring back our girls" as it's being shared around the world.
"It is so horrific, I couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep all night, and you can imagine the horrors. The love of a mother for a child is indescribable," Kofo-Idowu said.
The White House has condemned the kidnappings.
President Barack Obama has pledged to send help to Nigeria. All female senators are asking for UN Sanctions against Boko Haram.
Maryland's Sen. Barbara Mikulski took to the Senate floor to condemn the abductions.
"This is an outrage, an outrage against these girls and an outrage against the international community. We need to speak up as a nation, women and men together, saying 'What is this?' Where a girl can't go to school simply because she's a girl," Mikulski said.
Despite all the talk, the girls remain missing and in danger.
"These are heinous crimes. We need to make sure we put an end to," Kofo-Idowu said.
Friday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will rally with other groups outside of Baltimore City Hall at War Memorial Plaza from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Eyewitness News will stay on the search for the abducted girls. We'll bring you the latest developments on WJZ-TV and CBSBaltimore.com.
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