AMSTERDAM — The world did not need to speculate long to find out why the Islamic State (IS) randomly killed at least 129 people and wounded hundreds in Paris, most of them young adults in the prime of their lives. In an online statement released the day after the attacks, the group explained its motives, in line with its usual habit of claiming responsibility for attacks. IS claimed that the attacks were meant as revenge for Paris’ participation in the US-led coalition of nations, which bombs IS.
However, the statement also revealed another reason why they targeted a soccer stadium, a number of cafes and restaurants, as well as a rock concert: because Paris is “the capital of prostitution and obscenity.” The young Parisians who died during the attacks were labeled in the statement as “crusaders,” as well as “apostates” who had gathered in a “profligate prostitution party.” The term crusaders apparently, according to IS, refers to indigenous non-Muslim Parisians, while the term apostates apparently refers to Parisians with an Islamic background. To IS, it makes no difference; in their eyes, they are all sinners deserving death.
