German journalist, author, and producer Jürgen Todenhöfer was embedded with ISIS for 10 days; and afterwards various media outlets interviewed him.
Todenhöfer told CNN on December 22, 2014,
“”I think the Islamic State is a lot more dangerous than Western leaders realize,” he said. “They believe in what they are fighting for and are preparing the largest religious cleansing campaign the world has ever seen.””
They feel it is their duty to kill male adult atheists or any viewed by them as polytheists like the Yazidi and Hindus. Those considered members of a deviant Muslim sect, including all Shiites, fall into the same category. ISIS also feels their religion sanctions the enslavement of “nonbeliever” females for any purpose, and their children, unless they voluntarily convert.
People of the Book
Some leniency can be extended to “people of the book”. Jewish and Christian men and women, who are unable to flee, may be offered the options of being expelled, converting, or paying the tribute (taxes) imposed on non-Muslims.
However, a number of them will be killed too if they do not want to convert and yet cannot afford to pay.
Todenhöfer reminded Deutsche Welle TV on December 24, 2014,
“The Islamic State has conquered an area which is bigger than Great Britain.”
