c. 2005 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) U.S. Muslim organizations increasingly disagree about the effectiveness of written statements in combating the perception that they are soft on terrorism.
But the flurry of statements that emerged after the July 7 London bombings shows that the groups are not abandoning the technique. Here are excerpts from those statements.
“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.”
_ Council on American-Islamic Relations
“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.”
_ Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
“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.”
_ Muslim American Society (MAS)
“The Islamic Society of North America 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. … Irrespective of the sociopolitical implications, this act violates the Islamic principles of the sanctity of life and the safety and security of innocent civilians.”
_ Islamic Society of North America
“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 the 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”
_ American Muslim Voice
MO/PH END RNS
Editors: See main bar, RNS-ISLAM-TERRORISM
