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| Missing UK family 'safer than ever with Islamic State' | Missing UK family 'safer than ever with Islamic State' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A UK family of 12 who went missing have joined so-called Islamic State and are "safer than ever", according to a statement said to be on their behalf. | |
| The statement, purportedly sent by a member of IS, said it was "outrageous" to suggest the family had been kidnapped and forced to join the group. | The statement, purportedly sent by a member of IS, said it was "outrageous" to suggest the family had been kidnapped and forced to join the group. |
| It called on all Muslims to join them and "hasten to the obedience of Allah". | It called on all Muslims to join them and "hasten to the obedience of Allah". |
| The family from Luton has not been seen since 17 May and includes three children aged between one and 11. | The family from Luton has 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. | Police have previously said they may have travelled to Syria. |
| The BBC has not been able to independently verify if the statement, which includes two photos purportedly of family member Muhammed Abdul Mannan, is genuine. | The BBC has not been able to independently verify if the statement, which includes two photos purportedly of family member Muhammed Abdul Mannan, is genuine. |
| The missing family is: | The missing family is: |
| The statement, passed to the BBC by a Briton fighting with IS, 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". | The statement, passed to the BBC by a Briton fighting with IS, 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". |
| 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. | 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." | "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." |
| The Islamic State group has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria since last June, becoming notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings. | |
| On 29 June 2014 it announced the formation of a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law or Sharia, by God's deputy on Earth, or caliph. | |
| The family was reported missing to police by two sons, understood to be Mr Mannan's from a previous marriage, who live in Luton. | The family was reported missing to police by two sons, understood to be Mr Mannan's from a previous marriage, who live in Luton. |
| The family flew to Bangladesh on 10 April, police said, and then to Istanbul on 11 May. | The family flew to Bangladesh on 10 April, police said, and then to Istanbul on 11 May. |
| They were due back at Heathrow three days later but failed to return. | They were due back at Heathrow three days later but failed to return. |
| It is believed Ms Khanom had links to banned Islamist group al-Muhajiroun, which had members in Luton. | It is believed Ms Khanom had links to banned Islamist group al-Muhajiroun, which had members in Luton. |
| It comes after three sisters reportedly travelled to Syria with their nine children. | |
| Sisters Khadija, Sugra and Zohra Dawood and their children went missing on 9 June, and an IS smuggler has since told the BBC they have reached Syria. | |
| Who are the Britons who have travelled to Syria and Iraq? |