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MAS – July 27, 2005
American Muslim imams and community leaders declaration of support and action against terrorism
(Washington, D.C.) - In response to the Muslim American Society’s and MAS Freedom Foundation’s campaign against terrorism, "Faith Over Fear and Justice for All", American Muslim scholars, Imams and community leaders have responded by signing and issuing a declaration of support, pledging action in combating terrorism, hate, violence, injustice and religious bigotry.
Text of the Declaration of Support and Action Against Terrorism
We, the undersigned, Imams and community leaders, are responding to the call made by the Muslim American Society to purge Islam, our community, and the issues we advocate from the stigma of terrorism.
As those who have firsthand experience as victims of terrorism and its repercussions (bigotry, Islamophobia, dehumanization) we are determined to lead our community out of anxiety and beyond condemnations. We will increase our efforts to immunize our community against extremism.
We reiterate that terrorist acts are utterly criminal, totally reprehensible, and absolutely un-Islamic. There can never be any excuse for the taking of innocent life, and terrorism has absolutely no sanction in Islam. Nor is there any justification whatsoever in our noble religion for such evil actions. Our message is unambiguous: the authors of terrorist attacks and bombings are criminals, and we should not accept their justifications, whether ideological, religious or political. Our position has been consistent; it is anchored on solid religious, moral, and civic grounds. The Qur’an clearly declares that killing an innocent person was tantamount to killing all mankind and likewise saving a single life was as if one had saved the life of all mankind. (The Qur’an, Al-Maidah 5:32) This is both a principle and a command.
We recognize we’ve got to work better at combating terrorism. We believe that a collaborate efforts on the part of our government, media, faith communities, and civic society can reduce the likelihood of terrorist acts.
We are faced with a complex and dangerous phenomenon and a deadly vicious cycle perpetuated by people who are both fanatic/misguided and desperate, and others who are simply bigot. We need a comprehensive multifaceted approach/strategy and coordinated efforts to break this cycle and proactively and effectively combat terrorism. We recognize that injustices like erosion of civil liberties, backing of corrupt and oppressive regimes in the Muslim world, complete reliance on security and intelligence, shallow public relations efforts, and inflammatory/inciting statements in the media, by some religious leaders, or even public officials play well into the hands of extremists. And this too must be rejected. However, we are committed to be more vocal and more active in our attempt to isolate terrorists and terrorism, deny them recruits, sympathy, and any religious or political legitimacy.
All within our society should be united against terrorism and work together. Therefore, we call upon our government to address genuine grievances being exploited by the terrorists, engage the American Muslim community and leadership and moderate Islamic groups abroad, and aggressively promote human rights and democracy in the Muslim world. The media, for its part, needs to be more aware and objective in its coverage of Islam and Muslims. Islam-bashing fuels hatred and plays into the hands of terrorists.
As Islamic religious leaders, we are well-positioned to fulfill the role of a goodwill bridge between our country and the greater Muslim world.
We are determined to solidify the prevailing moderate and mainstream orientation of our community, and do whatever it takes to leave no chance for terrorists and their views to creep into our community, leaving no ambiguity when it comes to the Islamic position on terrorism.
We will intensify the personal development of our youth and inculcate in them the proper understanding of Islam, help them develop a genuine American Muslim identity and aid them in fulfilling their potential, keeping them from falling into the grasp of extremism and moral vice.
We are determined to partner with people of faith and conscious in order to confront the problems that may possibly be alienating our youth, driving them towards a path of anger and desperation.
We will continue our efforts and collaborate with others to work towards a just and lasting peace in the world’s areas of conflict, and address the grievances that seem to nurture violence. We will vindicate the Islamic concepts that are abused by terrorists, and channel the frustration from domestic and foreign policies into active participation in national debates.
We will step up our outreach efforts in order to speed up the integration of our community, demystify Islam and Muslims, and deny the terrorists the opportunity to hijack our religion or speak on behalf of the one and a half billion Muslims worldwide.
Finally, we reiterate our belief that nations and groups should maintain relationships on the basis of universal brotherhood, fairness, respect and mutual understanding, and that individuals should pursue their interests through civic engagement.
We call upon our community not to be beaten into retreat from its mission by current events. We must not remain withdrawn. We no longer have the luxury of simply complaining, even justifiably, that we are
mistreated. Our mission is to preach the message of Islam courteously and wisely, to advocate justice, and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, through engagement with society. Our central goal should
be to put our grand values and principles into action and make a contribution, making a lasting impact on this nation and the World.
Signed,
Abdallah Allam Imam, Masjid Dawood, NY
Hammoud Silwi Imam, Bronx Muslim Center, Bronx, NY
Hisham Sherif Imam, Masjid Farooq, NY
Mohammad Beshir Chairman, Muslim Youth Center, Brooklyn, NY
Ahmed Abu Jamil Chairman, Islamic Service Foundation, Queens, NY
Mustafa Tolba Imam, Dearborn, MI
Hamdi Basha Imam, Denver Islamic Society, Denver, CO
Sheikh Ahmad Nabhani Imam, Colorado Muslim Society, Denver, CO
Dr. Belgacem Belgacem President, Islamic Center of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO
Gaith Sassi Vice President, Vice Chairman, Denver Islamic Society, CO
Imam Ali North East Denver Islamic Center, CO
Ahmad Habil Colorado Muslim Youth Foundation, CO
Ahmad Shuqeirat Imam, Islamic Community Center of Tempe, AZ
Ibrahim Othman Imam, Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA
Sayyed Ahamad Shaheen Imam, Islamic Society of San Francisco, CA
Foutouh Abu Isha Imam, Oakland, CA
Nasr Khatib Imam, Al-Hidaya Islamic Center, Philadelphia, PA
AbdulMohsen Abu Hatab Imam, Masjid al-Jamia, Philadelphia, PA
Mahmoud Hamed Chairman, Al-Hidaya Islamic Center, Philadelphia, PA
Mustafa Kamel Imam, Masjid al-Ansar, Anaheim, CA
Ahmad Azzam Board Member, Islamic Center of Hawthorn, CA
Hamdi Sadiq Imam, Islamic Center of Hawthorn, CA
Othman Rakha Imam, Islamic Center of Hawthorn, CA
Alaa Ramadan Imam, Islamic Center of Claremont, CA
Radwan Hfouda Vice President, Islamic Center of Claremont, CA
Taha Hassan Imam, San Diego, CA
Mohammad Kamel Imam, Sacramento, CA
Walid al-Hantati Chairman, MAPAC, Raleigh, NC
Main Al-Qodah Imam, New Orleans, LA
Mahmoud Sarmini New Orleans, LA
Ahmad al-Khalidy Imam, Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids, IA
Bassyouni Nehela Imam, Islamic Society of Boston, Boston, MA
Yousef Abullaban Director, Islamic Society of Boston Culture Center, Boston, MA
AbdulBadee AbuSamra Chairman, Al-Nour Academy
Hassan Alami Chairman, Malik Academy
Muhammad Al-Dhaeef Vice President, Al-Huda Society
Abdallah Ashour Boston Somali Community, Boston, MA
Sayed Abu Abdallah Flint, MI
Mohammad Hasanji Board Member, Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, OK
Mohammad Saleem Principle, Mercy School, Oklahoma City, OK
Saad Mohammad Vice President, Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, OK
John Graff Youth Director, Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma Cit, OK
Hasan Abu Nar Imam, Masjid al-Noor, Bridgeport, CT
Majid Sharif President, Islamic Center of Waterbury, CT
Mahmoud Mansour Imam, Greaton, CT
Mohammad Taroua New Haven Islamic Center, West Haven, CT
Hisham Ahmad Imam, Atlanta, GA
Mohammad Douib Board Member, Mosque Foundation, Chicago, IL
Mohammad, Saras Board Member, Mosque Foundation, Chicago, IL
Mahmoud Mousa President, MAS Lansing, Lansing, MI
Bassam Mahmoud Vice President, Islamic Center of Lansing, MI
Amin Ezzeddine Chairman, Islamic Center of Maryland, Gaithersburg, MD
Ali Darwish Secretary, Islamic Center of Maryland, Gaithersburg, MD
Johari AbulMalik President, CCMO, Washington, DC
Nouriddine Gayyash Principal, Peace Academy, Tulsa, OK
HusseinKhattab Chairman, Peace Academy, Tulsa, OK
Amjad Dalaq Chairman, Islamic Center of Kansas, KS
Fadi Banyalmarja Chairman, Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, KS
Ali Awa President, Masjid al-Huda, KS
Yasser Abdul Aziz President, Muslim Youth of Cleveland, OH
Mohammad Sirajuddin Imam, Islamic Society of Michiana, South Bend, IN
Zoubir Bouchikhi Imam, Masjid Abu Bakr Assidiq, Houston, TX
Saeed Abbassi President, MAS, NJ
Ali Mutawa Imam
Mohmmad al-Hayek Imam
Mohammad Moussa Imam
Mohammad al-Ajami Imam
Mohammad al-Qatanani Imam
Hisham Gadallah Vice President
Sami Abu Nasra Director
Ibrahim Reemy Fellowship of Reconciliation/Muslim Peace Fellowship
Samir Abo Issa Director, Dar-ul-Hijrah Islamic Center, Falls Church, VA
Gamal Ahmad President, MAS Chicago, IL
Hussein Ahmad Vice President, Muslim Youth Center, Brooklyn, NY
Wael Hamza Bronx Muslim Center, Bronx, NY
Mahmoud Hassan Imam, Masjid al-Taqwa, MN
Isham Hussein Imam, Masjid al-Alaman, MN
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