A family of 12 from Luton who went missing in May have confirmed that they have arrived in Syria and are “safer than ever” under the rule of ISIS, according to a statement sent to the BBC allegedly on their behalf.
The statement, claimed to be sent by a member of ISIS, said it was “outrageous” to suggest the family had been kidnapped and forced to join the group.
The family from Luton have not been seen since 17 May and includes three children aged between one and 11.
Police have previously said they may have travelled to Syria.
The statement is accompanied by two photos purportedly of family member Muhammed Abdul Mannan, which have not been independently verified.
The statement, passed to the BBC by a Briton fighting with ISIS, said the family had arrived in a land that was “free from corruption and oppression” and had not been “commanded” to join by a single person but by the “Khalifah of the Muslims”.
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It said: “We say to those that are concerned for our safety to put your hearts at rest for we feel safer than we have ever felt before.
“We call all Muslims to rush to the command of your Khalif. Race to your state. Race to what will give you honour in this life and the hereafter.”
ISIS have seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria since last June, when it controversially declared the re-establishment of the Caliphate on the first day of Ramadan in 2014.
However, this claim has been rejected by an overwhelming majority of Muslim scholars from different theological and juristic persuasions, as well as other Islamist groups such as Al Qaeda, Hizb-ut Tahrir and the Muslim Brotherhood.
