|
AMP Report – July 7, 2005
American Arab and Muslim organizations
condemn London bombings
July 7, 2005: American Arab and Muslim organizations today unequivocally condemned the explosions this morning in central London’s public transportation system that killed scores of people and injured hundreds more.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
“The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is horrified by the series of bombings that rocked London’s public transportation earlier today.
”Information as to who is responsible for these latest bombings in London has yet to be confirmed. Regardless of the identity of the perpetrators of this terrible crime, ADC condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms. ADC urges the public and the media to proceed with caution.
”ADC believes that the best plan of action to such an appalling attack is for all Americans to come together and offer support to the English people.”
The American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
"We join all people of goodwill in condemning these utterly immoral and heinous crimes. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the British people.
"We're shocked and horrified by what has happened in London and condemn this wanton massacre of innocent civilians in the strongest possible terms.
"While we call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators, we also join the Muslim Council of Britain in urging Muslims to help in the recovery effort."
American Muslim Voice (AMV)
The American Muslim Voice (AMV) vehemently condemns the barbaric bombings in London causing death and injuring to score of innocent people.
We reaffirm our principled position towards acts of terror, regarding them as cowardly acts of violence irrespective of the identity of the perpetrators or their motives.
Islam holds the sanctity of human life as Qur'an clearly states: "If anyone slays a human being, it shall be as though he had slain all mankind" (5:32).
Those who commit these heinous crimes are not following any religion or acting as human beings.
Our heart goes out to the families and friends of those who were the innocent victims of today's terrorist attacks.
We truly need to walk away from violence and start moving towards a different path by creating a culture of peace, understanding, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony. We should do everything in our power to break down all barriers and form lifelong friendships.
We all desire world peace and we can achieve it only if all of us start feeling the pain of others. John Wooden says it best, "Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights."
Let us use this tragedy to stand united and say no to the terrorists irrespective of their identity.
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."
”The Muslim Council of Britain and other British Islamic groups issued similar condemnations of the attacks and urged Muslims to help in the recovery effort.
”In 2004, CAIR launched an online petition drive, called "Not in the Name of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims. SEE: http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=169&page=AA
”The "Not in the Name of Islam" petition states: "We, the undersigned Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him."
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) Chairman, Abdul Malik Mujahid:
"We condemn this brutality in the strongest terms. These attacks are an affront to Islam and to Muslims all over the world including Muslim in America. They are in no way a reflection of Islamic teachings, which order Muslims to preserve and protect life.
“This is why I would like to request all mosques in North America, England and the world to pray for the victims of this tragedy during Friday prayers tomorrow. We would also like to request that Imams offer Friday sermons about the sanctity of life in Islam and the heinousness of terrorism.”
(The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago is a federation of organizations serving over 400,000 Muslims throughout Chicagoland.)
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
“The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is shocked and horrified at the several attacks on the people of London during the rush hour mass transit. We join everyone in condemning such acts of terror and senseless violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic moment. We trust that the authorities will determine those responsible for these barbaric acts and bring them to justice quickly.
“Islam holds the sanctity of human life at the highest regard, and shedding the blood of innocent people is considered most heinous crime. As Muslims we condemn the killing of innocent people for any reason. This is an attack on all of us, and all communities of faith need to stand together in calm and resolute purpose against terrorism, hatred and extremism. We urge the people of England to remain calm. As citizens we also hope innocent people will not be targeted in backlash following this terror attack. Learning from experience after 9/11, we also express the profound hope that civil liberties will not be a further casualty of this tragic event, in the Great Britain or around the world.
“Here in the US, we urge Muslims to remain cautious and in communication while continuing their daily work, to avoid fear and confusion and remain measured in response, and above all, to put our trust in the Mercy of Allah, All-Mighty, which will sustain us during the coming days, Insha Allah.”
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
“The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) expresses its strongest condemnation of the horrific bombings in London today. We abhor these acts of mindless violence that violate all Islamic principles regarding the sanctity of life and the safety and security of innocent civilians. ISNA urges the swift apprehension of those responsible and offers condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.
”Irrespective of the sociopolitical implications, this act violates the Islamic principles of the sanctity of life and the safety and security of innocent civilians.
“Attacking civilians who are going about their daily business is a criminal act that violates Islamic principles, and must be condemned by all Muslims. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”
The Muslim American Society (MAS)
“The Muslim American Society (MAS) utterly condemns the heinous acts of terror that rocked the London transit system and killed and injured scores of innocent people. Our most heartfelt condolences and sympathies are extended to the bombing victims and their families.
“We reiterate our consistent and principled position towards acts of terror, regarding them as cowardly acts of violence irrespective of the identity of the perpetrators or their motives. Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard, and the shedding of blood of any innocent person is considered a repulsive crime.
“MAS believes that relationships between people and nations should be governed by universal brotherhood, compassion, tolerance, fairness and mutual interests.
“MAS therefore joins hands with all people of faith and conscience to work for a more just and peaceful world and to condemn, oppose, and overcome those who would spread fear, hatred, and death.
“We call upon our fellow Muslims in Great Britain to provide any and all assistance and support to the much-needed emergency and aid services required for the people of London in their time of hardship. We call upon our government and all Americans to remain extra vigilant, and call upon the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the safety and protection of all Americans from such atrocities.
“We also call upon all Americans, media outlets and government officials to continue to be clear and careful in seeing these crimes for what they are, and not link, nor associate them, with any faith or religion. These are crimes against humanity perpetrated by evil individuals and have absolutely nothing to do with any religion or faith.
“We call upon the Muslim community to join us in our resolve in condemning such brutal acts and to remain steadfast, patient, and take the higher road in face of any possible misguided reactions.
“We again call upon our government to address the scourge of terrorism through a comprehensive approach where the root causes are addressed and eliminated, without unduly relying solely on the use of force.
“MAS and Muslims in America remain steadfast and ready to work hard in order to rid the world from the scourge of terrorism, and are ready to serve as a bridge of goodwill and outreach between our country and the greater Muslim world, where the spread of freedom and human rights will eliminate the space within which terrorism festers and grows.
“In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers remain with those killed or injured in London. We pray to the Almighty to bring peace and tranquility upon all who are in distress or hardship, to grant mercy to those killed, and bring swift forthcoming health and prosperity upon all affected.”
The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
“Islam considers the use of terrorism to be unacceptable for any purpose. Any individual or group that claims that these heinous actions serve as a redress for legitimate grievances is dreadfully mistaken. MPAC condemns the exploitation of people and issues, regardless of the perpetrators and their justifications. This assault is unmistakably an act of terrorism, an attack against humanity.
“We at the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the British people. As Americans, we are familiar with the imminent and the long-term repercussions of terrorism. Here at home, we stand in solidarity with law enforcement to maintain security, and we have every reason to believe that similar cooperation will take place in London.”
CAIR Bulletin – July 8, 2005
U.S. Muslims meet U.K. ambassador
to offer condolences
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 8, 2005 - Local and national representatives of the American Muslim community met today with the British ambassador in Washington, D.C., to offer condolences for the deaths and injuries suffered in yesterday's bomb attacks in London.
The Muslim delegation included representatives of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations in the Washington, D.C., area.
Prior to meeting with Ambassador David Manning, CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed signed the embassy's book of condolences set up following Thursday's bombings. In the meeting, Ahmed and the other Muslim leaders reiterated their community's condemnation of the attacks and expressed solidarity with the people of Britain.
Ambassador Manning told the Muslim visitors that the bombings targeted every segment of his nation's multicultural population and that the attacks should not be linked to Islam, which he described as a faith of "peace, reconciliation and tolerance."
Detroit Free Press – July 8, 2005
American Muslims condemn London attacks,
ready for backlash
DEARBORN, Mich. -- The imam at the American Moslem Society had words of warning for the 120 men and boys who gathered for evening prayers at the suburban Detroit mosque. Speaking hours after bomb attacks in London killed dozens and injured hundreds of Thursday morning commuters, Ali Lela told his congregants that such attacks put their community at risk.
"We condemn what happened," the 33-year-old cleric from Cairo, Egypt, said in Arabic to the worshippers clustered around him as ceiling fans spun overhead. "This has nothing to do with Islam. The first people to suffer, after the victims, are the Muslim community."
"There is no justification for such a horrible crime in Islam, any other divine faith or even the court of human conscience," the Islamic House of Wisdom in nearby Dearborn Heights said in a statement.
Similar condemnations came from the Council on American Islamic Relations and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, both based in Washington. They also warned Arab- and Muslim-Americans to be alert for acts of revenge.
"The number of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide tends to go up" at such times, the Muslim council said, while the Arab-American rights group cited "historically documented hate-motivated attacks and ... discrimination" after similar attacks.
Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are home to many of southeastern Michigan's estimated 300,000 Arab-Americans……
http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw118147_20050708.htm
|
