ISIS militants behead 14-year-old for 'missing Friday prayers'

A 14-year-old boy has been brutally executed by Islamic State militants for allegedly missing Friday prayers.

The teenager's parents were forced to watch their son be beheaded after he was charged with apostasy in his home town of Jarablus in Syria.

The city's central mosque is a dominant force for ISIS in the region, with Friday prayers a focal point for preaching and promoting the group's self-proclaimed Caliphate.

News of the boy's execution was broken by local activist Nasser Taljbini who is opposed to the jihadist group. He told Syrian-based ARA News that an ISIS-controlled Sharia court ordered the teenager to be beheaded in public.

"Dozens of people attended the brutal execution, including the victim's parents who were forced to witness the beheading of their own son," he said.

Taljbini added: "ISIS is trying to prove that it is still powerful despite all the military defeats. The group is trying to terrorise people through conducting such public punishments."

ISIS' treatment of children and teenagers has been in the spotlight after the group released a number of videos depicting child jihadis carrying out executions.

related articles
Rise in Syrian children abducted and sent into battle, Unicef warns

Rise in Syrian children abducted and sent into battle, Unicef warns

120,000 people are starving in Syrian city besieged by ISIS
120,000 people are starving in Syrian city besieged by ISIS

120,000 people are starving in Syrian city besieged by ISIS

ISIS is committing genocide, declares Council of Europe

ISIS is committing genocide, declares Council of Europe

Nations gather in Rome to discuss anti-ISIS push
Nations gather in Rome to discuss anti-ISIS push

Nations gather in Rome to discuss anti-ISIS push

News
Scottish politicians recognise work of offshore industry chaplains
Scottish politicians recognise work of offshore industry chaplains

The offshore oil and gas industry can sometimes turn deadly.

Pakistani Christian gives testimony of persecution in front of King Charles
Pakistani Christian gives testimony of persecution in front of King Charles

Open Doors ranks Pakistan the 8th worst persecutor of Christians worldwide.

On commitment
On commitment

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster considers what commitment means in Judaism.

Christians celebrate ‘the beautiful game’ at Wembley
Christians celebrate ‘the beautiful game’ at Wembley

The evening, organised by the Football Association, brought together Christians involved in the game, from grassroots to the Premier League, and organisations that run sports projects across the country.