Headlines
Stop using Islamic State name, Cameron tells BBC
London, June 29
British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday called on the BBC not to
use the phrase "Islamic State" when referring to the terror group
operating in Iraq and Syria.
The prime minister, who calls the
group "ISIL", said Muslims would "recoil" at the phrase being used to
justify the "perversion of a great religion".
Cameron insisted
that the battle against extremists targeting Britons around the world
can be won but would require "extraordinary resolve and patience".
He criticised BBC presenter John Humphrys for referring to the group as Islamic State.
The extremist group was variously known as Islamic State, and DAESH, based on the Arabic acronym.
During his interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Cameron referred to the group as "ISIL".
"I
wish the BBC would stop calling it Islamic State because it's not an
Islamic State; what it is is an appalling, barbarous regime," Cameron
said.
"It is a perversion of the religion of Islam and many
Muslims listening to this programme will recoil every time they hear the
words "Islamic State".
"So-called or Isil is better," he added.
However, some people on social media pointed out that ISIL was an acronym which refers to "Islamic State".