Iranian cultural figures condemn ISIL attacks in Iraq

TEHRAN,June 20(MNA) – A large group of Iranian literati, artists and cineastes condemned the terrorist acts committed by the al-Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in a statement published by some Persian news agencies on Tuesday. They also asked international organizations and communities to stand against any type of terrorist attacks in the world Theatrical figures Hossein Mosafer-Astaneh and Hossein Parsaii, calligraphers Jalil Qasemi and Davud Vakili, photographers Yusef Gerami and Majid Nagahi, filmmakers Jamal Shurjeh and Rahbar Qanabri, musicians Piruz Arjmand and Hushang Javid, and poets Hossein Esrafili and Jalal Mohammadi are among the those who signed the statement. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which has taken over large swathes of territory in Iraq since launching a massive offensive last week, is encroaching on the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.