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Newsday – July 10, 2005
Reaction to London bombings
Hoping to be heard this time
By Ellis Henican
It was one of the ugliest myths of 9/11, repeated so many times some people actually started to believe it.
The myth was that large numbers of American Muslims danced and cheered when the planes hit the towers, celebrating a vicious attack on innocent civilians as some kind of twisted victory for Islam.
This was always a lie.
Oh, sure, a couple of knuckleheads here and there might have clowned for a TV camera. And every group has its evil zealots on the fringe. But they didn't speak for the vast majority of American Muslims any more than Eric Rudolph, the Olympic Park bomber and Christian Identity nut-job, speaks for American Christians.
Similarly, reports of thousands of high-firing American Muslims in the 9/11 aftermath were always a vicious, damaging slander, pounded by a few race-baiting demagogues, spread by testosteronic talk-radio hosts, repeated so many times it finally became impossible to say where the claims originally came from.
Actually, we didn't get quite as much of that talk in New York as they did in a lot of places. Mostly, we knew better.
I'm like a lot of people here, I guess. I can't get to work in the morning without having at least casual contact with a Muslim or six, starting with the Pakistani guy at the newsstand and the Syrian woman at the coffee place.
And I'm pretty sure neither one of them wants to see me incinerated on the No. 6 train platform.
Do you, Mohammed?
I hope not, Hala!
Good.
Militant jihadists have struck again, in London this time - and the sweeping generalizations are about to erupt again.
Or are they?
Having learned a few lessons from last time, American Muslim leaders sprang into action Thursday morning, putting out loud and clear denunciations of the latest terror attacks. No words were minced.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Association of North America - every major group had put a statement out by the time their leaders headed to their mosques on Friday afternoon.
And it wasn't just the big, national groups. They were joined by the Islamic Association of North Texas, the American Moslem Society of Dearborn, Mich., and just about every group with a letterhead and an M in its name.
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused," the Council on American-Islamic Relations declared.
"Our condemnations are universal and unequivocal," said the Arab-American Forum.
"Attacking civilians who are going about their daily business is a criminal act that violates Islamic principles, and must be condemned by all Muslims," said the Islamic Society of North America.
On Friday before prayer services, leaders of the major groups met with David Manning, the British ambassador in Washington, offering their formal condolences to the victims and their families. Let there be no mistake how American Muslims feel.
So, will they be heard? Ibrahim Hooper certainly hopes so.
As communications director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, he drafted the condemnation statement immediately after 9/11. It was published, among other places, as a full-page ad in The Washington Post. Then, Hooper spent the next three-plus years hearing angry talk that Muslims hadn't spoken out.
"It's one of the things we still hear: 'Why won't Muslims condemn terrorism?'" he was saying at week's end.
"When I go on a radio talk show, that is the first thing that I hear. That's just not true. Muslims - not only CAIR but all the groups - have been condemning terrorism for years. Some people just don't want to hear it."
So Muslims have to keep trying, he said. "Whenever we have the opportunity, we'll say it again. 'We denounce it. We denounce it.' We are hoping to be heard this time."
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-nyhen104338161jul10,0,3857674,print.column
Florida Today – July 10, 2005
CAIR-FL: American Muslims decry terror attacks
By Ahmed Bedier
On behalf of the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim community we join Americans of all faiths -- and all people of conscience worldwide -- in unequivocally condemning Thursday's bomb attacks in London as 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 the attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.
Muslim scholars, clergy and organizations worldwide continue to condemn violent acts of terror committed against humanity.
In 2004, our organization launched an online petition drive, called "Not in the Name of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims.
The petition states in part: "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."
To view or sign the petition, go to: www.cair.com.
Ahmed Bedier is the Central Florida director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/OPINION/507100309/1004
Miami Herald – July 9, 2005
Muslims condemn blasts, hate
By Trenton Daniel
Leaders of South Florida's Muslim community met Friday to convey their sympathy and to denounce the bloody London bombings believed to be the handiwork of Islamic terrorists.
Hailing from West Palm Beach to Kendall, almost a dozen members of area Islamic groups gathered at the Miami Gardens Masjid to offer words of support and a call for justice, a day after explosives ripped through three subway trains and a double-decker bus, killing more than 50 and wounding more than 700.
''Florida Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in yesterday's attack and call for the swift arrest and punishment of the criminals responsible for these bombings,'' said Altaf Ali, executive director of Florida's Council on American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy group also known as CAIR.
But the news conference aimed to serve another purpose: to spread the word that Islam is a peaceful religion and to call for police protection in the event of a local anti-Muslim backlash.
''At the same time, we urge law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of all people, including members of the Muslim community who may be targeted by vigilantes,'' Ali said.
On Friday, news organizations reported that a mosque in England was attacked.
Muslim leaders at the news conference reported that South Florida has seen no serious incidents, though there were a few troubling cases, they said…..
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12090328.htm
Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) – July 9, 2005
CAIR-OH: True Muslims denounce terrorism
The London bombing act of terrorism is inexcusable and unjustifiable. Muslims join Americans of all faiths and all people of conscience worldwide in condemning this heinous crime.
American Muslims offer their sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to the victims, as well as their families and loved ones, of Thursday's terrorist attacks.
These are moments of sadness. These evil deeds make all of us victims. Those who claimed responsibility have no regard for human life, which is cherished by Islam.
God said in the holy Quran: "On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people." (Quran 5:32) ……
Ahmad Al-Akhras is President of Ohio chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations
in Columbus
http://www.dispatch.com/
Sacramento Bee – July 7, 2005
CAIR-CA: Sacramento Muslims decry attacks
By Cameron Jahn
Sacramento-area Muslim leaders denounced terrorism Friday, calling the London attacks a major setback after four years of outreach to the non-Muslim community.
"We are still guilty by association," said Irfan Haq, spokesman for the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations. "For the Muslim community who worked hard to reach out to Muslims and people of all faiths, it is a direct hit on all of them."
Attendance at Friday prayers was down 20 percent at the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims mosque in east Sacramento, as people stayed home to grieve, Haq said.
The SALAM center will host a community meeting to discuss terrorism and its impact on the local Muslim community at 7 p.m. next Friday.
"As Muslims, we utterly deplore these heinous and horrific acts that contradict all laws of Islam and civilization," the Council on American Islamic Relations' Maren Shawesh said at the news conference at Masjid Annur Islamic Center.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/13202389p-14045438c.html
Orange County Register – July 8, 2005
London bombings condemned by
Orange County Muslims
By Ann Pepper
Orange County groups and religious leaders have joined prominent national Muslim organizations in issuing condemnations of the terrorist bombings Thursday in London.
"American Muslims join other Americans of all faiths and people around the world in condemning these horrific and barbaric crimes which can never be excused," said Sabiha Kahn, spokeswoman for the Council on American Islamic Relations, which represents an estimated 170,000 Muslims in Orange County.
Her group is the largest advocacy and civil rights organization for Muslims in North America.
"We offer our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones and to those who have been injured in the attacks," she said.
Kahn said she did not recognize the name of the organization that has tentatively been named in connection with the attack.
"But it doesn't matter who they are," she said. "They need to be brought to justice."
Unlike the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in this country when CAIR's Anaheim office faced an influx of e-mails and hate calls, Khan said she received positive communication after Thursday's attacks.
"We did get several phone calls already today thanking us for our swift and unequivocal condemnation of the London terror. I think the difference is that here in Orange County people are probably more aware of the Muslim community. We've been building relationships through our work and through the American Muslim community in general. We've been trying to educate others about Islam, and people here are generally open-minded and want to learn. It shows how far we've come as a community in understanding one another," she said Thursday....
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/07/08/sections/news/news/article_590002.php
Inside Bay Area – July 9, 2005
SF Bay Area Muslims pledge to fight hate in mosques
By Momo Chang
SAN FRANCISCO — Responding to fears of possible homegrown terrorists, Bay Area mosque leaders assured they will carefully monitor their communities and continue to promote nonviolence.
"The people who committed the crimes are on the fringe of the fringe," said Souleiman Ghali, president of the Islamic Society of San Francisco. "Speaking as an Islamic leader, I will never tolerate amongst our people, in our mosques, in our schools, the indoctrination of hatred or killing."
Four leaders from mosques across the Bay Area representing an estimated 2,000 members as well as a dozen other interfaith community leaders spoke Friday. Ameena Jandali of the national organization Islamic Networks Group estimates there are 30 mosques in the Bay Area and that approximately 200,000 Muslims live in the region.
Recent details of the London bombers as young men, born and raised in England, have created mounting fear of possible terrorists in the United States. The London bombers are suspected to have been misled and encouraged by mentors.
Muslim leaders said their role is to continue to promote nonviolence in their mosques.
"I know the people in my community, and I know many of the young people," said Mohamad Rajabally, president of Islamic Society of the East Bay. "The safety of America is also the safety of our families."
Other Islamic organizations want to prevent misunderstanding of a religion that is often associated with terrorism and violence.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national civil rights organization, has launched a "Not in the Name of Islam" campaign that includes a petition condemning violence, signed by 700,000 Muslims. The national campaign also includes a 30-second public service announcement stating, "Islam is not about hatred and violence. It is about peace and justice."
Leaders said they represent moderate Muslims — the majority of the Muslim population — and acknowledged that extremists may never evenset foot inside their mosques or be affiliated with their organizations. Leaders said they will continue to denounce violence, but that everyone needs to work together to eliminate terrorism.
"The fundamentalists may not even be in our mosques," said Imam Tahir Anwar, the religious leader of the South Bay Islamic Association. One suspect in the London transit bombings was never seen attending his local mosque, according to a report in the Boston Globe.
Other leaders in the Muslim community said that reaching out to people in their communities is essential to building peace in the long-run — by getting to know neighbors, co-workers, teachers and students.
"If all of us get to know each other, we have a better chance of making America safe because only knowledge and acceptance can subside the fear," said Samina Faheem Sundas of American Muslim Voice.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_2848821
Albuquerque Tribune – July 7, 2005
New Mexico Muslims appalled by terrorism,
marred by prejudice
By Phill Casaus
Less than 12 hours after terrorists blew up trains and a bus and about 700 lives in London Thursday morning, a man named Abdul Rauf Campos-Marquetti felt compelled to issue the following news release to New Mexico's media outlets:
On behalf of the Muslim community here in New Mexico and around the world, we strongly condemn the act of terrorism that claimed the lives of innocent people today in London. Our prayers and condolences are with them and their families. The terrorists who are hiding behind the peaceful religion of Islam shall never prevail and are not representative of the over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world….
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_columnists/article/0,2565,ALBQ_19865_3913518,00.html
Associated Press – July 9, 2005
N.J. Muslims slam London attacks
NEWARK - Muslims across the United States are denouncing the bombing of London's transit system and bracing themselves for a renewed wave of harassment that has continued since the Sept. 11 attacks.
As Muslims gathered for Friday prayers, some New Jersey mosques posted guards at entrances to check bags, peered into garbage cans and circled buildings to make sure no suspicious packages were nearby.
The attacks Thursday killed dozens and injured more than 700, and authorities have said they had the signatures of the al-Qaida terror network.
Aref Assaf, president of the Paterson-based Arab American Forum, urged people to refrain from blaming the entire Arab and Muslim community for the attacks.
Leaders of New Jersey's Muslim community have not asked police to increase patrols near mosques as they did in 2001.
This time, they're doing it themselves, said Sohail Mohammed, a Clifton lawyer who has tracked security issues for the community since Sept. 11.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS03/507090340/1007/BUSINESS
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