Prefer the term “tea party terrorists.”

WASHINGTON – Media have been advised by a group of American Muslim leaders to refrain from referring to the Islamic State group as ISIS or jihadists since doing so gives them legitimacy. This occurred as Muslim leaders and scholars came together to denounce the Islamic State group in a 17-page letter that sets the record straight in as far as the group’s ideology and Islam are concerned.

“If you refer to ISIS as jihadist, you are defeating the purpose and giving them legitimacy,” said Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The press conference Wednesday was organized by CAIR and the Fiqh Council of North America, and it brought together 10 Muslim leaders from various organizations and societies in America.

The leaders ratified the letter, which was originally written in Arabic, addressed to the Islamic State group’s leader Ibrahim Awwad Al-Badri. Over 120 scholars and Muslim leaders from around the world signed it.

“Point by point, their ideology has been rejected,” said Muzammil H. Siddiqi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America. The council advises its members on religious matters.