The following report is a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
On August 20, 2015, the Islamic State (ISIS) released images showing the demolishing of the Mar Elian monastery in the town of Al-Qaryatayn in Homs province, Syria.
Built in 432 CE, almost two centuries before the arrival of Islam, the historic monastery is named after St. Elian, a native of Homs, who was killed by the Romans in the third century CE for refusing to renounce Christianity.
ISIS noted that the place was used for worship others besides Allah - a common reference employed by the group to denote places where various religious figures like prophets, saints, etc., are worshipped. ISIS considers such acts a violation of Islamic monotheism and the notion that only Allah must be worshipped.
Below are images from the post:
Source: Shumoukh Al-Islam, August 20, 2015.
