THE following is a joint statement released by High Wycombe's Muslim community leaders in the wake of the ISIS threat and BBC interview with Omar Hussain.

"We, the community leaders and representatives of the mosques and Muslim groups in High Wycombe, wish the whole community to be aware that we condemn the activities of the so called Islamic State of Jihadis in Syria and Iraq.

They claim to represent Islam and believe that this permits them to act in an inhumane, unjust and barbaric way.

We know that they do not represent Islam and can find no justification for their actions in the sacred writings of Islam - their actions make it clear that they have rejected the teachings of Islam.

Their actions are as offensive to Muslims as to any who believe in God and all people who have high moral and humane principles.

We are shocked that through websites and social media, some young people are seduced by preachers of hate and preachers of war, bloodshed and crime against humanity.

These elements of hatred, the killing of innocent people and crimes against humanity have no place in Islam, which is a religion of peace and a religion which places the welfare of all people as a sacred responsibility on all Muslims.

We work with the authorities to protect the young people of High Wycombe from the lies which turn some from Islam to an anti-religion of hate and brutality, as evidenced in the recent beheadings of American journalists.

This is how we would describe the so-called Islamic State which is visiting brutal atrocities on the people of Syria and Iraq, and innocent people caught up in the conflict.

It is a matter of huge sadness that a religion that we know to be based on the universal values of peace and love has been corrupted in this way."

Signed by members from the Wycombe Islamic Mission and Mosque Trust, Wycombe Islamic Centre, Muslim Education Centre and the Council for Christian Muslim Relations.