Barak Barfi, speaking Wednesday for the Sotloff family in their first comment since his beheading was shown on a video released by the radical group Islamic State (IS), remembered him as a thoughtful man who enjoyed simple pleasures and was fascinated by the Middle East.
The Middle East scholar switched to Arabic at the end of his statement and in forceful language addressed himself directly to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
"I also have a message to Abu Bakr. Woe to you! You said Ramadan is a month of mercy. Where is your mercy?", Barfi said.
"God does not like aggressors," he said.
"I am ready to debate with you. Abu Bakr, I come with kind preachings, I have no sword in my hand and I am ready for your response."
More angry language came Wednesday from US Vice President Joe Biden, who said the United States would be relentless in its fight against IS after its beheading of Sotloff and fellow American journalist James Foley.
"They should know we will follow them to the gates of hell until they are brought to justice. Because hell is where they will reside. Hell is where they will reside," Biden said in a speech, shaking his fist, his face red with vehemence.
Sotloff's horrific killing was shown in a video which emerged on Tuesday, just days after Foley was murdered by Islamic State militants in near-identical circumstances.
The 31-year-old had been drawn to reporting from the world's conflict zones because he was unable to "turn his back on the suffering pervading the world," Barfi said.
Sotloff's father briefly appeared holding a photo of his son, declining to speak to media.
Barfi said the reporter was attracted to Syria through a fascination with the Arab world.
"He was no war junkie, he did not want to be a modern-day Lawrence of Arabia: he merely wanted to give voice to those who had none," Barfi said.
"From the Libyan doctor who struggled with psychological services to children ravaged by war to the Syrian plumber who risked his life by crossing regime lines to purchase medicine, their story was Steve's story.
"He ultimately sacrificed his life to bring their story to the world," added Barfi, insisting that Sotloff was "no hero."
"Like all of us, he was a mere man who tried to find good concealed in a world of darkness and if it did not exist he tried to create it."
Sotloff, well-versed in the history and culture of the Middle East, was taken captive in Syria last year.
The self-styled "stand-up philosopher from Miami," who wrote for Time, the Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Policy and World Affairs Journal, had always found time for family despite his workload.
"He had a fondness for junk food he could not overcome and despite his busy schedule, he always found time to Skype his father to talk about his latest golf game," Barfi said.
"He was appreciated by all who met his sincerity and kindness. Steve had a gentle soul that this world will be without, but his spirit will endure in our hearts.
"This week, we mourn, but we will emerge from this ordeal. Our village is strong. We will not allow our enemies to hold us hostage with the sole weapons they possess: fear."
COMMENTS (6)
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Barak Barfi is ignorant. If there ever is going to be a debate, he will lose badly.
@IKfan: @Ajay Dalit: I agree that IS has base in the Middle East. However, there are groups that are similar to IS operating even today, in Pakistan. Malik Ishaq admitted to committing the same acts as IS but still free. Even the lawyers shower him with rose petals. He goes on Hajj pilgrimage !!!!!! Hamid Gul, Ex-DG-ISI and now is the Head Ex Servicemen Society that according to him, has over 3 million retired army men as its members. The then President of Pakistan Zardari has himself described Hamid Gul as a political ideologue of terror in an interview with Newsweek. Malik Ishaq, Hamid Gul, Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and Hafiz Saeed, all share the same platform when addressing rallies of DPC. They all want Afia Siddiqi, who is also knows as "Quom Ke Beti" in pakistan back. IS may not have a base in Pakistan yet, but there are many groups that do and have been doing for many decades the same that IS is doing in Iraq today. None from any such group has ever been punished and they all have huge following in Pakistan. Pakistan may be reforming today but these groups are still operating in Pakistan. Yes, I agree that most Pakistanis do not want IS to spread in Pakistan but the question is: can it be done? We will have to wait and watch.
He was an israeli dual citizen. Probably a mossad agent.
@Raj - USA: What's your point?!Pakistan has no connection whatsoever with the IS, if anything their main support base emanates from within the middle east.
I don't know why ET moderators let cunning commenters post asinine comments.
@Raj - USA: Dear raj, would you stop crying about Pakistan, please? Did you read the article, would you spend your energy in debating on how the real islam followers are condemning these jehad enthusiasts. You wrote it yourself how Pakistan has only acquired the legal means to get Afia Siddiqui freed. If as per you some terrorist organization from somewhere else kidnaps a US citizen and demands Pakistans Afia Siddiqui in return, its not Pakistans business, no! Not every baby born in the world is ISI's conspiracy. And ET I hope you can keep national integrity of Pakistan in mind while selecting which comments to publish, but first I wish my comment makes it to there.
I heard it on TV that IS is also holding another American woman hostage. IS has threatened to kill her if Afia Siddiqi is not released. Pakistan's political and religious parties have held many demonstrations to free Afia Siddiqi from US prison. Pakistan's Army also wanted the same. Pakistan's government even provided her legal representation and paid several million dollars for her legal representation in US. To begin with, it was Pakistan's ISI that handed her over to US in the first place. Now all terrorist groups are demanding Afia Siddiqi's release. Pakistan is still protecting Hafiz Saeed and others involved in the Mumbai terror attacks. All non-state actors are state and establishment sponsored in Pakistan.