Where is the Muslim Outrage ?

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Registered: 05-11-2003
Where is the Muslim Outrage ?
7
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 7:19am


• Where Are All Those Peaceful Muslims We Keep Hearing About?

They are still burying the victims of the latest atrocity committed by evildoers professing Islam -- the slaughter of hundreds of children, teachers, and parents in an elementary school in Beslan, Russia. And from Muslims the world over, as usual, has come mostly silence. There have been no public demonstrations by Muslims anxious to make it clear how outraged and sickened they are that anyone could commit such unspeakable deeds as an act of Islamic faith. There has been no anguished outcry by Islam's leading imams and sheiks. Prominent Muslim organizations in the West have not called press conferences to express their disgust and anger. Once again the world has witnessed a savage episode of Islamist terror, and once again it strains to hear a convincing rejection of the terrorists from those who should care most about Islam's reputation.

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Registered: 07-20-2003
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 8:01am
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U.S. Muslims condemn attack in Russia

Washington, DC, Sep. 7 (UPI) -- A U.S. Muslim advocacy group Tuesday condemned last week's attack by Islamic extremists on a school in southern Russia.

The attack killed more than 300 people, many of them children, after the terrorists seized the school in Beslan.

The Washington-based Council on American Islamic Relations issued a statement saying: "No words can describe the horror and grief generated by the deaths of so many innocent people at the hands of those who dishonor the cause they espouse. We offer sincere condolences to the families of the victims and call for a swift resolution to the conflict in that troubled region that will let all people live in peace and freedom."

CAIR recently launched an online petition drive, called "Not in the Name of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of some Muslims. The petition can be accessed at cair-net.org.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040907-030634-2744r.htm

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More Muslims speaking up against terror

By CLIFFORD D. MAY

CHRISTIANS slaughtered by terrorists in Beslan, Russia. Nepalese Hindus butchered by terrorists in Iraq. Jews suicide-bombed in Beersheba, Israel.

On the third anniversary of 9/11, adherents of a radically and rabidly politicized version of Islam are not discriminating — they are attacking innocents of all races, creeds and colors.

But the hopeful news is that within the Muslim world voices are beginning to speak out against the terrorists, the nihilist barbarians who — if not stopped — will damage both the causes they claim to champion and Islam itself.

“We cannot tolerate in our midst those who abduct journalists, murder civilians, explode buses,” wrote Abdel Rahman al-Rashed, the general manager of Al-Arabiya news channel. “We cannot accept them as related to us, whatever the sufferings they claim to justify their criminal deeds.”

He added: “These are the people who have smeared Islam and stained its image. We cannot clear our names unless we own up to the shameful fact that terrorism has become an Islamic enterprise; an almost exclusive monopoly, implemented by Muslim men and women.”

Such courageous responses are long overdue — as Nonie Darwish, self-described “daughter of an Arab warrior,” has noted. “The world has been seeing Arab radical terrorism growing without much international outcry for half a century,” she wrote. “Many thought it is only against Israel and its interests and ignored it.”

True, such voices are still a minority. Many leaders in the Arab and Muslim worlds avoid taking positions that might anger radicals. And there are still those who defend terrorism.

Known as “the spiritual leader” of the Al-Muhajiroun sect, Omar Bakri Mohammed lives near London, where last weekend he told an interviewer that he would not condemn the massacre of hundreds of Russian children. On the contrary, he would support similar attacks elsewhere — including in Britain, where he has been granted asylum.

“If an Iraqi Muslim carried out an attack like that in Britain, it would be justified,” he declared, “because Britain has carried out acts of terrorism in Iraq.”

This weekend, Mohammed noted, he will be appearing at a 9/11 event — to commemorate not the victims, but the perpetrators.

Of course, it is not just Islamists who condone terrorism. Darwish observes that “many in the West and the U.N. are still finding excuses for terrorism.” Take Michael Kinsley, one of America’s leading public intellectuals. He has written: “An illegitimate tactic used in a legitimate cause, as part of a conflict with legitimate and illegitimate tactics and aspirations on both sides, is different from an illegitimate tactic used for purposes that are utterly crazed and malevolent.” How is that different from Omar Bakri Mohammed’s view?

Similarly, editors at the Reuters news agency long ago pronounced that “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” They will not judge whether those who murder children in classrooms, decapitate hostages and blow up buses are any worse than, say, George Washington or Mahatma Gandhi.

By contrast, Egypt’s Grand Sheik Mohammed Sayed Tantawi has accused the killers in Russia of “taking Islam as a cover — and it is a deceptive cover; those who carry out the kidnappings are criminals, not Muslims.”

Certainly some terrorists have legitimate grievances and the causes they claim to represent may be just. The plight of the Chechens falls into such a category.

Chechnya, a mostly Muslim land, resisted Czarist Russian conquest until the middle of the 19th century. During World War II, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin exiled hundreds of thousands of Chechens to Siberia, believing them to be likely Nazi allies.

In 1991, as the Soviet Union was collapsing, Chechnya briefly achieved independence. But Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first post-Soviet president, used an iron fist to restore Kremlin rule. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s current leader, has been equally brutal. Since 1994, more than 80,000 Chechens have been killed. Still, nothing suggests that most Chechens support the Beslan atrocities. Exiled Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov does not condone the mass murder of children. His London spokesman said the terrorists are harming the cause of Chechen independence. “But, of course, their demands have all to do with Chechnya,” he acknowledged, “so whatever has happened the Chechens will be held responsible. That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Chechen terrorist leader Shamil Basayev seeks more than an independent Chechnya. Like his al-Qaida allies, he wants a new Islamic caliphate that would expand well beyond Chechnya’s borders.

Hamas, the Palestinian organization that claimed responsibility for the Beersheba bombing, has similar ambitions. Reuters is reluctant to tell you what Hamas wants: not an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, but an Islamist state in place of Israel, one that would kill or ethnically cleanse its non-Muslim population.

As for the butchering of the Nepalese in Iraq, that was carried out by Ansar al Islam, an al-Qaida affiliate that was based in northeastern Iraq while Saddam Hussein was in power. For Ansar the question is not, “Why kill minimum-wage workers from Nepal?,” but, “Why not?” On the third anniversary of 9/11, self-proclaimed jihadis — “holy warriors” — are engaged in a world war against Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and, not least, moderate Muslims.

“Islamist terrorism represents one of the most lethal threats to the stability of the civilized world,” said Kamal Nawash, the Palestinian leading the Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism. “Democracy cannot succeed unless terrorism is defeated and Islamic extremism is discredited.”

It helps that more people like him are joining the battle



http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showfast.html?article=43764

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 9:15am
HEY DO YOU NEED SOME CHEESE WITH THAT WHINE OF YOURS???

I can honestly say that your post, whether copy and pasted or written from your own mind, is a complete lie. After every horrid attack done by "muslims" prominent clerics from all over, and in the west CAIR, have issued statements and had press conference against such attacks. Sorry if your to busy burying your head not to notice. I have personally posted them on this board also.

If it is a hat dance your looking for, sorry none will be done.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 9:45am
This is just a small list for the 9-11 attacks, if you want to see them all click on the link at the bottom


MUSLIM CONDEMNATIONS OF THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS

The following document is a compilation of condemnations of the September 11 attacks. The articles, press releases and news clippings represent a sample of worldwide Muslim condemnation of these attacks and of terrorism in general. Most of the documents contain only excerpts of these condemnations. A document containing the full text of these condemnations would be much longer.

Included in this document are a few interviews and articles written by Muslim scholars refuting Bin Laden’s theology and use of religion to justify attacks on innocent civilians. The purpose of including these articles is to show that Muslims went beyond just condemning the attacks. They also took and continue to take active steps to combat extremism and the exploitation of religion for violent political purposes.

There are many more such articles and efforts easily available on the internet, scholarly journals and newspaper archives.

CAIR statements on the events of September 11

"We condemn in the strongest terms possible what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts.

"All members of the Muslim community are asked to offer whatever help they can to the victims and their families. Muslim medical professionals should go to the scenes of the attacks to offer aid and comfort to the victims.

September 11 statement by the CAIR

"We at the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), along with the entire American Muslim community are deeply saddened by the massive loss of life resulting from the tragic events of September 11. American Muslims utterly condemn the vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all American in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

CAIR full page add, Washington Post, September 16.

"American Muslims, who unequivocally condemned today terrorist attacks on our nation, call on you to alert fellow citizens to the fact that now is a time for all of us to stand together in the face of this heinous crime."

September 11 letter to President Bush, signed by the leaders of the American Muslim Alliance, the American Muslim Council, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Muslim American Society, the Islamic Society of North America, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Muslim Alliance in North America, and American Muslims for Jerusalem. These groups represent most of the seven million Muslims in the United States.

We are no less American than we were on Sept. 10. I was born in the United States. I took my first steps on this soil. I have been a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls. I have been to four U2 concerts. I am a second-year law student specializing in international human rights. I and my 7 million Muslim brothers and sisters are contributing members of American society.

Two members of President Bush's Cabinet are of Arab descent. It was a Muslim who was the architect for the Sears Tower. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and in the world. We are doctors, lawyers, engineers, mechanics, teachers, and store owners.

We are your neighbors.

Arsalan Tariq Iftikhar, Midwest Communications Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, St. Louis, Mo.

CAIR: Video shows Bin Laden's complicity in 9-11 attacks

(Washington, DC, 12/13/2001)

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, today offered its reaction to the videotape of Osama bin Laden released by the Pentagon.

CAIR stated:

For anyone who was not convinced of Osama bin Laden's complicity in the events of September 11, the content of this videotape should remove all doubt. Bin Laden clearly spoke as someone who had foreknowledge of the attacks.

The tape was particularly disturbing for several reasons:

1. Bin Laden seemed to revel in the death and destruction in Washington and New York.

2. He falsely implied that the acts of the hijackers were justified by Islamic beliefs.

3. He made the sickening statement that the attacks "benefited Islam greatly."

As we have stated repeatedly, the tragedy that occurred on September 11 cannot be justified by any cause or religion. We restate our condemnation of those who committed this crime and look forward to seeing the perpetrators brought to justice.



CAIR condemnation of suicide bombing

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/28/2002) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, today condemned a bomb attack on a Passover celebration in the Middle East that left 20 people dead and more than 100 wounded.

In a statement, CAIR said:

"We condemn this attack and all other attacks on innocent civilians. Illegitimate and counterproductive tactics must not be used in the legitimate struggle to end Israel's brutal occupation.

"This attack is of particular concern coming as it did during a religious observance in which the focus is remembrance of God.

Note: CAIR has condemned numerous such bombings.

CAIR Full Page Advertisement

Sunday, September 16, 2001

Washington Post

March 9, 2003

NY TIMES – Week in Review

CANADIAN MUSLIM SCHOLARS REJECT "MISGUIDED" CALLS FOR JIHAD

(OTTAWA, CANADA) - The Canadian office of the Council on American-Islamic

Relations (CAIR CAN) and the Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association (CMCLA) today denounced a series of recent statements made by Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network that state that Muslims should wage a "jihad" against Americans.

In a joint statement endorsed by prominent Canadian Islamic scholars (Dr. Jamal

Badawi, Imam Munir El-Kassem, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty), the two organizations wrote:

"Islam respects the sacredness of life, and rejects any express statement or tacit insinuation that Muslims should harm innocent people. Despite our disagreement with certain American policies, we must never abuse the concept of Jihad to target innocent civilians.

"Jihad, which literally means 'struggle,' has an internal, societal and combative dimension. The internal dimension of Jihad encompasses the struggle against the evil inclinations of the self, and the spiritual project to adorn the self with virtues such as justice, mercy, generosity and gentleness. The societal dimension includes struggling against social injustice and creating a communal identity based on charity, respect and

equality. Finally, the combative aspect of jihad is only to be used as self-defense against aggression or to fight oppression, and, even then, to be observed with strict limits of conduct that preserves the life of innocents and the sanctity of the environment. Moreover, this latter type of Jihad can only be declared by a legitimate, recognized religious authority.

"Using the concept of Jihad to justify harming the innocent is contrary to the letter and spirit of Islam. We condemn any violence that springs from this misguided interpretation."

CONTACT: Riad Saloojee at 613-798-0003

TOLEDO MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTACK ON US, ASK

MEDIA TO EXCERCISE RESTRAINT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11, 2001

TOLEDO, OH-- The United Muslim Association of Toledo, expresses its deepest regret at the death of our fellow citizens around the United States. The United Muslim Association condemns these acts of senseless violence. As American Muslims we are saddened by this loss of life. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the recovery of those injured in the explosion. We call for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragedy and full disclosure of the findings.

UMAT urges the local media to exercise restraint and not jump to any conclusions about the attackers.

Dr. M. Y. Ahmad, the President of UMAT said, "We all remember what happened after Oklahoma City. Everyone said that it smelled Middle Eastern, and later we found out that it wasn’t. We have to make sure that we don’t assign blame to any group of people and cause them discomfort and distress as they try to live their normal lives. We had many incident of Muslims being harassed after the Oklahoma City incident. We don’t want that to happen again. I hope the media outlets can stress this, that we should not jump to conclusions and harass anyone."

"It’s really an unfortunate. We condemn this type of senseless violence. I pray for the victims who have lost their lives and I pray for the safety of the rest of us. I hope for a quick recovery for the injured and a speedy and expedient investigation. Things like this really should not happen. It just doesn’t make any sense."


CONTACT PERSON:

Mohammed S. Alo

Secretary General

472-6613 work

343-0061 cell

323-7733 pager


Rallying to make a difference

Hundreds of families and community leaders, Muslim and non-Muslim, attend a Dallas rally against terrorism

Sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations


By Katherine Morales, The Dallas Morning News, October 21, 2001

Imad Ismail stood on a sidewalk in downtown Dallas, telling strangers the same things he has told his friends at school for the last six weeks.

The 14-year-old didn't commit the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Nobody he knew was involved.

His religious beliefs don't condone them, and he was appalled by them.

"I'm here because I think I can try to make a difference – to inform the public about what's going on," he said.

Imad joined hundreds of other families and community leaders, Muslim and non-Muslim, on Saturday for a rally against terrorism sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations-DFW.

He stood with his siblings and cousins holding banners and American flags.

"Most people have been pretty cool – they've waved and smiled," Imad said, referring to passers-by.

The Duncanville teen said the reception hasn't always been as friendly.

"People would yell things at me on the street, and people at school would ask me if I was a terrorist," he said. "I don't take it seriously. They don't know me."

Behind Imad, speakers at the rally walked onto a small stage and denounced the attacks.

"The last six weeks have been difficult for our nation as a whole," said Mohamed Elmougy, president of the council. "We are here to reclaim our faith from those who have hijacked it from us. We cannot allow the few to ruin it for the many."

Mr. Elmougy also said it was unfair of people to think of Osama bin Laden as a true representative of Islam.

That statement brought rounds of applause from the audience. Some people waved handmade signs above their heads with messages of patriotism and peace.

Shamshad Haider Murtazawi, a Muslim cleric, gave those who gathered a perspective from the Quran on terrorism and murder.

"We do not kill, and it is absolutely forbidden in the Quran unless it is for self-defense," he said. "Human conscience does not allow terrorism, and Muslims will fight against it."

Melissa Walker drove from Sulphur Springs with her husband and two children to attend the rally after reading about it on a local website.

"I'm glad they have a variety of speakers with different perspectives," she said. "They speak for all of us and say the things we want to say. I wish there were more outlets for this."

A few non-Muslims also attended the event to show support for the Islamic community and to learn more about the tenets of Islam.

"I'm opposed to the violence that has been exhibited toward some of these people, although they had nothing to do with the attacks," said Norma Bell of Garland. "I'm Catholic, but we're all just trying to get to the same place."



American Muslim Response to the September Attacks

Released September 21, 2001

We, the undersigned Muslim organizations, support the President and Congress of the U.S. in the struggle against terrorism. Holding to the ideals of both our religion and our country, we condemn all forms of terrorism, and confirm the need for perpetrators of any such acts of violence to be brought to justice, including those who carried out the attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

At the same time, in the planning of this "war against terrorism," we call upon the President and Congress to reaffirm the values and principles that make this country great, namely that one is innocent until proven guilty, that all accused have the right to a fair trial, that no one be punished for the acts of another, and that respect for human life is supreme, regardless of race or religion. To this end, we urge the U.S. government not to abandon the due process of law in determining responsibility for the attacks and punishing the guilty parties.

We are saddened by the possibility of military action, as we do not believe that terrorism can be eliminated solely or even effectively through military force. Rather we call upon our leaders to recognize that in order to rid the world of the ugliness of terrorism, our nation must understand its root causes. We hold out the hope that these root causes can be addressed through non-violent means, in a way that promotes peace and harmony between the nations of the world.

Signed:

Afghan Muslim Association (Fremont, CA)

American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ)

American Muslims for Jerusalem (Northern California)

American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism (AMILA)

Arab-American Congress, Council on American-Islamic Relations (Northern California)

Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Bay Area

Islamic Networks Group (ING)

Islamic Society of the East Bay (Union City, CA)

Islamic Society of San Francisco

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) West Zone

Muslim American Society

Muslim Community Association (MCA)

Muslim Peace Fellowship (Nyack, NY)

South Bay Islamic Association (San Jose, CA)

Zaytuna Institute (Hayward, CA)





ISNA JOINS AMPCC IN CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS

(Plainfield, IN – 9/11/2001) – The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), along with other Muslim organizations throughout North America, today condemned the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and offered condolences to the families of those who were killed or injured.

The AMPCC statement read in part:

"American Muslims utterly condemn what are vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

- END –

Signatories:

American Muslim Alliance

American Muslim Council

Association of Muslim Scientists and Engineers

Association of Muslim Social Scientists

Council on American-Islamic Relations

Islamic Medical Association of North America

Islamic Circle of North America

Islamic Society of North America

Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed

Muslim American Society

Muslim Public Affairs Council



The Islamic Circle of North America declares Friday, September 14, 2001, a day of mourning and prayers.



The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is extremely horrified and saddened by the tragedy in New York and Washington D.C.


Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this horrible and despicable crime. We condemn this heinous act and call upon our political leaders and the media to act responsibly, and not generalize when speculating about the perpetrators.


Islam does not permit such unjust actions. Muslims are not terrorists and we condemn any terrorist attack against all people.

There were several hundred Muslims working in the World Trade Center. And, a large number of Muslims used to offer Friday prayer in the World Trade Center. There are many Muslims, who are still among the missing.

We appreciate and thank President Bush for acknowledging that American Muslims and Arab American are also saddened by this terrorist attack and by making it clear that any hate crime against Muslims will not be tolerated.

Our hearts are with those who have lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy and our prayers are with the departed souls.

The Islamic Circle of North America declares Friday, September 12, 2001, a day of mourning and prayers. All the Muslims are requested to make special prayers for the dead and the injured and also for the suffering families.

Scholars of Islam speak out against terrorism; clarify position of Islam

Monday, September 17, 2001

Dozens of scholars of Islam issued a statement today, condemning the violent attacks of September 11th.

"We are grief-stricken at these horrifying events," they wrote; "the murder of innocents can never be justified and must not be tolerated."

In a lengthy statement, professors from major colleges and universities throughout the country expressed their compassion for grieving family members while also decrying the increase in violence against American Muslims this past week. "Anger and frustration are completely understandable and shared by us all," they wrote "yet that anger must not be directed at individuals utterly innocent of these terrible crimes."

In recent days, verbal and physical attacks against Muslims (and people who were thought to be Muslims) have been reported from California to Vermont. Muslims have been warned to stay home or to avoid wearing traditional dress. "Particularly distressing is the fact that many American Muslims have fled to the United States, seeking a haven from intolerant regimes in Kosovo, Afghanistan or Iraq. For them now to face intolerance and violence here is an abuse of our Nation’s most deeply cherished beliefs" they said.

The co-signers of the statement are members of many scholarly societies in the United States and Canada. They include:



Professor Asma Afsaruddin, of Notre Dame University

Professor Vivienne Sm. Angeles, La Salle University

Professor Ghazala Anwar of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Professor Jonathan Brockopp, Director of the Religion Program at Bard College

Professor Patrice C. Brodeur of Connecticut College

Professor Arthur Buehler of Louisiana State University

Professor Amila Buturovic of York University

Professor Juan E. Campo of the University of California, Santa Barbara

Professor Vincent J. Cornell of University of Arkansas

Professor Frederick M. Denny Chair of Islamic Studies and the History of Religions, University of Colorado

Professor Abdullahi Gallab of Hiram College

Professor Behrooz Ghamari of Georgia State University

Professor Alan Godlas of University of Georgia

Professor Hugh Talat Halman, of University of Arkansas

Professor Pieternella (Nelly) Harder Vandoorn,, of Valparaiso University

Professor Marcia Hermansen of Loyola University, Chicago

Professor Valerie J. Hoffman, of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor Qamar ul-Huda, of Boston College

Professor Aaron Hughes of the University of Calgary

Professor Amir Hussain of California State University, Northridge

Professor John Iskander of Georgia State Univeristy

Professor Ahmet Karamustafa of Washington University in St. Louis

Professor Tazim Kassam of Syracuse University

Professor Zayn Kassam of Pomona College

Professor Ruqayya Khan of University of California at Santa Barbara

Professor Kathryn Kueny, of Lawrence College

Professor Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Dean of the College, Georgetown University

Professor Richard C. Martin, Emory University

Professor J.W. Morris, Chair of Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter

Professor Gordon D. Newby, Executive Director, Institute for Comparative and International Studies at Emory University

Professor James Pavlin of Rutgers University

Professor Jack Renard of St. Louis University

Professor Omid Safi of Colgate University

Professor Walid Saleh of Middlebury College

Professor Zeki Saritoprak of Berry College

Professor Michael Sells, Haverford College

Professor Laury Silvers-Alario of Holy Cross University

Professor Alfons Teipen of Furman University



For more information, contact Jonathan Brockopp at 845-876-4927 or see the website of the Study of Islam Section.

For more information on Islam, see the web page on Islam and Islamic Studies.



U.S. Muslim Scholars Condemn Attacks

CHICAGO, Sept 12 (IslamOnline) - Muslim scholars in North America unanimously condemned the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and expressed their deep sorrow and sympathy for those Americans who were killed and injured.

The Detroit-based Shari'a Scholars Association of North America (SSANA) strongly condemned the attack and said that there is no cause that justifies "this type of an immoral and inhumane act that has affected so many innocent American lives."

Insisting that Islam condemns such despicable attacks, the Association in a statement said, "Certainly, there is no justification for these acts from either an Islamic perspective or, in truth, from the perspective of any other moral and freedom-loving people. These acts diminish the freedom of all Americans, including American Muslims. Our condolences go out to all of the victims of these inhumane acts."

Additionally, the statement added that, "SSANA supports all efforts to investigate and immediately capture the evil persons responsible for these immoral can cowardly acts."

Sheikh Muhammad Hanooti, member of the Fiqh Council of North America and resident scholar at IslamOnline, told Islamonline that Muslims all over the world condemn this heinous act in the strongest of expressions and feelings. He said, "Islam tells us murdering one person is equal to murdering all humanity. We feel that great many innocent lives have been lost in this barbaric attack."

He added, "We pray to God to enable the people of United States of America to have peace, stability, security and prosperity."

Muzammil Siddiqui, director of Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC) and former president of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) could not be reached for comment but a statement released by the ISOC, which mentions him as the contact person, said that in each of its prayers yesterday the Society offered a special prayer and supplication for the victims of the tragedy in both New York and Washington DC.

"We encourage Muslim medical professionals and Muslim relief agencies to assist in whatever possible way with humanitarian and relief efforts both locally and nationally. Moreover, we urge people of diverse religious traditions, faith groups and spiritual expressions, including Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and members of other communities, to share their grief and sorrow together as one family, the human family," the statement read.

"We pray to God Almighty to provide safety and security to those working to alleviate the suffering and pain of the victims and their families of this tragic violence. We pray to God Almighty to instill patience and tranquility to all those involved in the process. Lastly, we pray to God Almighty to continue to bless and protect this land and all of its inhabitants," the statement added.

M. Amir Ali, Director of the Chicago-based Institute of Islamic Information and Education said, "Our condemnation of this terrorist act is unconditional and unequivocal and we support an impartial investigation for bringing perpetrators to full justice. I would like to add that there should be no retaliation against any party or a country without proof, but based on suspicion and prejudice."

"The Muslim leaders of Chicago discussed an action plan to help the victims and survivors of the terrorist attack by sending a team of doctors to New York, donating blood for the victims and sending money to help the needy. Committees were established to implement the resolutions immediately," he said.

Leading Islamic scholar Sheikh Taha Jaber Alwani, president of the School of Islamic and Social Sciences in Leesburg, Virginia, told AP news, "Muslims in this country would think this is unacceptable. I can't accept anything against any American citizen. I'm Muslim. I'm also American. I love America."

All local and national imams and scholars have expressed similar sentiments.



Call for holy war condemned by Florida Muslim cleric

By James D. Davis Religion Editor, The Sun-Sentinel, October 13 2001

Osama bin Laden and his call for a jihad, or holy war, against the United States were denounced in a scathing address on Friday by the leader of one of Florida's largest mosques.

"There are some who tarnish Islam, who do terror in the name of Islam," said Maulana Shafayat Mohamed, head of Darul Uloom Institute in Pembroke Pines. "They confuse jihad with their own problems. We must educate them about Islam, so they will not corrupt it."

He added that his fellow American Muslim leaders must not only denounce terrorism, they should rein in and weed out their more radical followers.

Mohamed gave his views during a sermon for jumah, or Friday prayer, at the cavernous storefront mosque. More than 700 worshipers of varying backgrounds -- African, Indonesian, Caribbean and Pakistani, as well as Middle Eastern -- listened, sitting on the striped green and gold carpet and spilling out into the lobby.

The ameer, garbed in a white turban and flowing cream-colored robes, called radicals ignorant of Islamic teaching and in need of instruction.

"Many people understand little about Islam, and it's our job to educate ourselves, so we can educate them.

"If we do not, we will raise our hands to pray, and God will not listen to us," Mohamed said, his gesturing hand shaking his wooden minbar, or pulpit. "We will ask for help, and he will not."

In his wide-ranging sermon, he ridiculed bin Laden and his deputies in the al-Qaida organization for promising rewards in paradise for suicide bombings, while they themselves hide in caves.

The ameer also criticized those who condone terrorism as a tool of foreign policy. He pointed out that the bombing of U.S. embassies killed innocent people as well as supposed combatants.

He named major organizations, including the Islamic Circle of North America and the Islamic Society of North America, plus area Islamic centers, as groups that should prevent radicals from rising to positions of influence. He said his own mosque carefully screens guest speakers.

"We do not allow politicians and radicals to represent us, " Mohamed said. "That's why Darul Uloom is the largest mosque in South Florida."

He said Muslims should accept their shortcomings and admit, for instance, that believers sometimes kill one another. As one example, he mentioned the longtime civil war in Afghanistan between the ruling Taliban party and the Northern Alliance, a rebel army of fellow Muslims.

For those who complain of Jewish and Christian influence in the United States, Mohamed said Muslims could simply run for office and build their own TV networks. "Many Muslims tell me of their money, their businesses. Well, they should put their money where their mouth is."

He criticized Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, who on Thursday offered New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani $10 million for the recovery effort, then said America should re-examine its Mideastern policies. No connection should have been made between relief and politics, Mohamed said.

He hinted at a backlash among other Americans if Muslims don't counter and tone down the radicals among them.

"It is sad that minorities among us allow emotion to overpower their understanding, and to say or do things they should not," Mohamed said. "But when the ship sinks, we all sink, the educated and the ignorant people."

Mohamed said his views had prompted some Muslims to call him an infidel and that American Taliban sympathizers even sometimes threaten him. Some months ago, he said, a man whom he did not identify told him, "Your blood is halal" -- meaning that it would be permissible to kill him.

"I don't support the pack," said Mohamed, who was raised in Trinidad and educated in India. "I don't have the cultural upbringing that keeps me from seeing the truth."

"A lot of Muslims are ignorant and join small radical groups," said Naim Mohammed, an upholsterer who lives in Sunrise. "But if every Muslim read the Quran directly, he wouldn't become a terrorist."

Shuaib Abdoel, a North Lauderdale resident who works for a film producer, added his own denunciations of bin Laden: "He calls himself a leader, but the blood of innocent lives has been shed in his name. I think he should just surrender."

The ameer was less direct on what do to about the Arab-Israeli conflict, simply saying that Muslims and Jews there should sit down and talk.

"Jews and Muslims come to America, work in the same business, live in the same apartment building and the same neighborhood," he said. "Why can't they live together in the Holy Land?"

James D. Davis can be reached at jdavis@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4730.



Experts Say bin Laden Is Distorting Islamic Law

New York Times

October 8, 2001

By JACQUES STEINBERG

Leading American scholars and practitioners of Islam said yesterday that Osama bin Laden had twisted and debased Muslim theology in a videotaped statement in which he called on "every Muslim" to "rush to make his religion victorious" by emulating those who attacked the United States on Sept. 11.

Ingrid Mattson, a professor of Islamic studies and Muslim-Christian relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, said there was no basis in Islamic law or sacred text for Mr. bin Laden's remarks.

"The basic theological distortion is that any means are permitted to achieve the end of protesting against perceived oppression," said Dr. Mattson, a practicing Muslim.

"Islamic law is very clear: terrorism is not permitted," she added. "Even in a legitimate war — even if Osama bin Laden were a legitimate head of state, which he's not — you're not permitted to indiscriminately kill civilians, just to create terror in the general population."

Mr. bin Laden's comments were broadcast in Arabic yesterday by Al Jazeera television in Qatar, soon after American and British forces began military strikes against Afghanistan.

While he did not take credit for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Mr. bin Laden described those who executed the assaults as "vanguards of Islam" whom "God blessed."

He also invoked God's name in vowing that "neither America nor the people who live in it will dream of security" until "the infidel armies" have vacated Israel and the Arab world.

Of America and its allies, Mr. bin Laden said, "May God show them his wrath and give them what they deserve."

Dr. Faroque Khan, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, N.Y., said Mr. bin Laden's militant interpretation of the Koran and other sacred texts was not consistent with "my understanding."

"Islam teaches very clearly that you don't harm the innocent," Dr. Khan said. "His is the view of one person sitting somewhere in the mountains of Afghanistan. It doesn't affect the views of law-abiding citizens, Americans in the United States.

"No Muslims in America are going to rise up in response."

Dr. Maher Hathout, senior adviser of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, an organization based in Los Angeles that seeks to explain Islam to the wider American population, said the Koran permitted "anyone to call on God for anything."

That said, Dr. Hathout added, "It is for the Almighty to make the judgment of whether to act."

The half-dozen clerics and scholars interviewed said that even if they had been critical of the American policies that so inflamed Mr. bin Laden, like United States support for Israel, there was no way to rationalize the violent course that he was advocating.

"There is no justification in turning your anger and frustration in one part of the world against civilians in another," said Imam Fawaz Damra, the director of the Islamic Center of Cleveland.

Those interviewed said the Koran's prohibition against the killing of the innocent could prove thorny if civilian lives were lost in the American and British attacks on Afghanistan. But they said they nonetheless considered the American response justified.

"We wish there had been a diplomatic resolution to the crisis," Dr. Khan said. "But we are squarely behind the American leadership in getting the perpetrators of this crime to justice."





American Muslim scholar declares: Terrorists are mass murderers, not martyrs


BY RICHARD SCHEININ San Jose Mercury News, Published Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001

Tuesday's terrorist attacks have saddened and maddened millions -- and raised questions for many about Islam. Speculation abounds that the hijackers were inspired by terrorists like Osama bin Laden, who teach that violent acts can pave the way to paradise.

But what does Islam really say about such matters? About jihad and martyrdom?

We asked Hamza Yusuf, an Islamic scholar in the East Bay, who said the attackers were ``enemies of Islam.'' Not martyrs, but ``mass murderers, pure and simple.''

Yusuf, whose articles about Islam are published internationally, talked about the attacks, the hysteria that he fears could grip the United States, and the role that Muslims and others must play in opposing violence. ``We've got to get to some deeper core values that are commonly shared,'' he said.

Q Why would anyone do what the hijackers did?

A Religious zealots of any creed are defeated people who lash out in desperation, and they often do horrific things. And if these people indeed are Arabs, Muslims, they're obviously very sick people and I can't even look at it in religious terms. It's politics, tragic politics. There's no Islamic justification for any of it. It's like some misguided Irish using Catholicism as an excuse for blowing up English people.

They're not martyrs, it's as simple as that.

Q Because?

A You can't kill innocent people. There's no Islamic declaration of war against the United States. I think every Muslim country except Afghanistan has an embassy in this country. And in Islam, a country where you have embassies is not considered a belligerent country.

In Islam, the only wars that are permitted are between armies and they should engage on battlefields and engage nobly. The Prophet Muhammad said, ``Do not kill women or children or non-combatants and do not kill old people or religious people,'' and he mentioned priests, nuns and rabbis. And he said, ``Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees and do not poison the wells of your enemies.''

The Hadith, the sayings of the Prophet, say that no one can punish with fire except the lord of fire. It's prohibited to burn anyone in Islam as a punishment. No one can grant these attackers any legitimacy. It was evil.

Q What role should American Muslims have in opposing this brand of violent Islam?

A I think that the Muslims -- and I really feel this strongly -- have to reject the discourse of anger. Because there is a lot of anger in the Muslim communities around the world about the oppressive conditions that many Muslims find themselves in. But we have to reject the discourse of anger and we have to move to a higher moral ground, recognizing that the desire to blame others leads to anger and eventually to wrath, neither of which are rungs on a spiritual ladder to God. It's times like these that we really need to become introspective.

The fact that there are any Muslims -- no matter how statistically insignificant their numbers -- who consider these acts to be religious acts is in and of itself shocking. And therefore we as Muslims have to ask the question, ``How is it that our religious leadership has failed to reach these people with the true message of Islam?'' Because the acts of these criminals have indicted an entire religion in the hearts and minds of millions.

These people are so bankrupt that all they have to offer is destruction.

Q Why do some people regard the hijackers as martyrs?

A That's an abomination. These are mass murderers, pure and simple. It's like Christians in this country who blow up abortion clinics or kill abortion doctors. I don't think anyone in the Christian community, except a very extreme fringe, would condone that as an acceptable Christian response. In the same way, there's no Muslim who understands his religion at all who would condone this.

One of the worst crimes in Islam is brigandry -- highway robbery, or today we'd say armed robbery -- because it disrupts the sense of well-being and security among civilians.

Q Suicide bombers have cited a Koranic verse that says, ``Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.''

A That is meant for people who are legitimately defending the lands of Islam or fighting under legitimate state authority against a tyrannical leader. There is no vigilantism in Islam. Muslims believe in the authority of government.

Imam Malik, an early Islamic legal authority, said that 60 years of oppression under an unjust ruler is better than one hour of anarchy.

Q Then why is there such strong support in parts of the world for the attacks?

A Because we're dealing in an age of ignorance and an age of anomie, the loss of social order. And people are very confused and they're impoverished. What Americans are feeling now, this has been business as usual for Lebanese people, Palestinian people, Bosnian people.

Q What about Israeli people?

A Certainly the fear element is there for Israeli people -- that's true, and the terror that they've felt. And there are still a lot of Jewish people alive who remember the fear and terror of what happened in Europe, so that's not far from people's memories.

It seems at some point, the cycles of violence have to stop. It's a type of insanity, especially when we're dealing with nuclear power. People are saying that this was an attack on civilization -- and that is exactly the point. And I think the question we all have to ask is whether indiscriminate retaliation is going to help preserve civilization.

The perpetrators of this and, really, all acts of terror are people who hate too much. There's a verse in the Koran that says do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Being just is closer to piety.

The evil of wrath is that justice and mercy are lost.

Q How do you explain Palestinians and others celebrating the attacks in the streets?

A When you see ignorant people in the streets, rejoicing -- the Prophet condemned it. It's rejoicing at the calamities of your enemies, and Islam prohibits that.

They do have a lot of anger toward America, because America produces much of Israel's military hardware and so many American tax dollars go to support Israel. You have a lot of animosity in the Arab world. But the vast majority of Arabs are horrified by what's happened.

Q The concept of jihad has been widely used to justify violence.

A Jihad means struggle. The Prophet said the greatest jihad is the struggle of a man against his own evil influences. It also refers to what Christians call a ``just war,'' which is fought against tyranny or oppression -- but under a legitimate state authority.

Q What is the Arabic word for martyr?

A Shaheed. It means witness. The martyr is the one who witnesses the truth and gives his life for it. There are people in this country like Martin Luther King who would be considered a martyr for his cause.

Also, if your home, your family, your property or your land or religion is threatened, then you may defend it with your life. That person is a martyr. But so is anybody who dies of terminal illness; it's a martyr's death. Because it's such a purification that whatever wrongs they once did, they're now in a state of purity.

And the greatest martyr in the eyes of God is the one who stands in the presence of a tyrant and speaks the truth and is killed for it. He is martyred for his tongue.

Q What does Islam say about suicide?

A Suicide is haram in Islam. It's prohibited, like a mortal sin. And murder is haram. And to kill civilians is murder.

Q What is a martyr's reward?

A The Prophet said that a martyr who dies doesn't have a reckoning on the Day of Judgment. It's an act through which he is forgiven. But the Prophet also said that there are people who kill in the name of Islam and go to hell. And when he was asked why, he said, ``Because they weren't fighting truly for the sake of God.''

If there are any martyrs in this affair it would certainly be those brave firefighters and police that went in there to save human lives and in that process lost their own.


Richard Scheinin can be contacted at (408) 920-5069 or by e-mail at rscheinin@sjmercury.com.



Muslim Religious figures condemn terrorism

* "Hijacking Planes, terrorizing innocent people and shedding blood constitute a form of injustice that can not be tolerated by Islam, which views them as gross crimes and sinful acts."

Shaykh Abdul Aziz al-Ashaikh (Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Senior Ulama, on September 15th, 2001)

*The terrorists acts, from the perspective of Islamic law, constitute the crime of hirabah (waging war against society)."

Sept. 27, 2001 fatwa, signed by:

Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi (Grand Islamic Scholar and Chairman of the Sunna and Sira Countil, Qatar)

Judge Tariq al-Bishri, First Deputy President of the Council d'etat, Egypt

Dr. Muhammad s. al-Awa, Professor of Islamic Law and Shari'a, Egypt

Dr. Haytham al-Khayyat, Islamic scholar, Syria

Fahmi Houaydi, Islamic scholar, Syria

Shaykh Taha Jabir al-Alwani, Chairman, North America High Council

*"Neither the law of Islam nor its ethical system justify such a crime."

Zaki Badawi, Principal of the Muslim College in London. Cited in Arab News, Sept. 28, 2001.

*"It is wrong to kill innocent people. It is also wrong to Praise those who kill innocent people."

Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, Pakistan. Cited in NY Times, Sept. 28, 2001.

*"What these people stand for is completely against all the principles that Arab Muslims believe in."

King Abdullah II, of Jordan; cited in Middle East Times, Sept. 28, 2001.

*Ingrid Mattson, a professor of Islamic studies and Muslim-Christian relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, said there was no basis in Islamic law or sacred text for Mr. bin Laden's remarks. "The basic theological distortion is that any means are permitted to achieve the end of protesting against perceived oppression."

Dr. Ingrid Mattson, a practicing Muslim.



Islamic Statements Against Terrorism in the Wake of the September 11 Mass Murders

Mustafa Mashhur, General Guide, Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt; Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Pakistan; Muti Rahman Nizami, Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Bangladesh; Shaykh Ahmad Yassin, Founder, Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Palestine; Rashid Ghannoushi, President, Nahda Renaissance Movement, Tunisia; Fazil Nour, President, PAS - Parti Islam SeMalaysia, Malaysia; and 40 other Muslim scholars and politicians:

"The undersigned, leaders of Islamic movements, are horrified by the events of Tuesday 11 September 2001 in the United States which resulted in massive killing, destruction and attack on innocent lives. We express our deepest sympathies and sorrow. We condemn, in the strongest terms, the incidents, which are against all human and Islamic norms. This is grounded in the Noble Laws of Islam which forbid all forms of attacks on innocents. God Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an: 'No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another' (Surah al-Isra 17:15)."

MSANews, September 14, 2001, http://msanews.mynet.net/MSANEWS/200109/20010917.15.html;

Arabic original in al-Quds al-Arabi (London), September 14, 2001, p. 2, http://www.alquds.co.uk/Alquds/2001/09Sep/14%20Sep%20Fri/Quds02.pdf

Shaykh Yusuf Qaradawi, Qatar; Tariq Bishri, Egypt; Muhammad S. Awwa, Egypt; Fahmi Huwaydi, Egypt; Haytham Khayyat, Syria; Shaykh Taha Jabir al-Alwani, U.S.:

"All Muslims ought to be united against all those who terrorize the innocents, and those who permit the killing of non-combatants without a justifiable reason. Islam has declared the spilling of blood and the destruction of property as absolute prohibitions until the Day of Judgment. ... necessary to apprehend the true perpetrators of these crimes, as well as those who aid and abet them through incitement, financing or other support. They must be brought to justice in an impartial court of law and appropriately. ... a duty of Muslims to participate in this effort with all possible means."

The Washington Post, October 11, 2001, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40545-2001Oct10.html


Shaykh Muhammed Sayyid al-Tantawi, imam of al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egypt:

"Attacking innocent people is not courageous, it is stupid and will be punished on the day of judgement. ... It’s not courageous to attack innocent children, women and civilians. It is courageous to protect freedom, it is courageous to defend oneself and not to attack."

Agence France Presse, September 14, 2001

Abdel-Mo'tei Bayyoumi, al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy, Cairo, Egypt:

"There is no terrorism or a threat to civilians in jihad ."

Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 20 - 26 September 2001, http://www.ahram.org.eg/weekly/2001/552/p4fall3.htm

Muslim Brotherhood, an opposition Islamist group in Egypt, said it was "horrified" by the attack and expressed "condolences and sadness":

" strongly condemn such activities that are against all humanist and Islamic morals. ... condemn and oppose all aggression on human life, freedom and dignity anywhere in the world."

Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 13 - 19 September 2001, http://www.ahram.org.eg/weekly/2001/551/fo2.htm

Shaykh Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, spiritual guide of Shi‘i Muslim radicals in Lebanon, said he was "horrified" by these "barbaric ... crimes":

"Beside the fact that they are forbidden by Islam, these acts do not serve those who carried them out but their victims, who will reap the sympathy of the whole world. ... Islamists who live according to the human values of Islam could not commit such crimes."

Agence France Presse, September 14, 2001

‘Abdulaziz bin ‘Abdallah Al-Ashaykh, chief mufti of Saudi Arabia:

"Firstly: the recent developments in the United States including hijacking planes, terrorizing innocent people and shedding blood, constitute a form of injustice that cannot be tolerated by Islam, which views them as gross crimes and sinful acts. Secondly: any Muslim who is aware of the teachings of his religion and who adheres to the directives of the Holy Qur'an and the sunnah (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad) will never involve himself in such acts, because they will invoke the anger of God Almighty and lead to harm and corruption on earth."

http://saudiembassy.net/press_release/01-spa/09-15-Islam.htm

Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdallah al-Sabil, member of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars, Saudi Arabia:

"Any attack on innocent people is unlawful and contrary to shari'a (Islamic law). ... Muslims must safeguard the lives, honor and property of Christians and Jews. Attacking them contradicts shari'a."

Agence France Presse, December 4, 2001

Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent religious scholar in Qatar:

"Our hearts bleed for the attacks that has targeted the World Trade Center , as well as other institutions in the United States despite our strong oppositions to the American biased policy towards Israel on the military, political and economic fronts. Islam, the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a grave sin, this is backed by the Qur’anic verse which reads: ‘Who so ever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind’ (Al-Ma’idah:32)."

http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2001-09/13/article25.shtml

See also Qaradawi's web-site: www.qaradawi.net

Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i, supreme jurist-ruler of Iran:

"Killing of people, in any place and with any kind of weapons, including atomic bombs, long-range missiles, biological or chemical weopons, passenger or war planes, carried out by any organization, country or individuals is condemned. ... It makes no difference whether such massacres happen in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Qana, Sabra, Shatila, Deir Yassin, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq or in New York and Washington."

Islamic Republic News Agency, September 16, 2001, http://www.irna.com/en/hphoto/010916000000.ehp.shtml

President Muhammad Khatami of Iran:

"The horrific terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the United States were perpetrated by cult of fanatics who had self-mutilated their ears and tongues, and could only communicate with perceived opponents through carnage and devastation."

Address to the United Nations General Assembly, November 9, 2001, reported in The New York Times, November 10, 2001, http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/10/international/10KHAT.html

League of Arab States:

"The General-Secretariat of the League of Arab States shares with the people and government of the United States of America the feelings of revulsion, horror and shock over the terrorist attacks that ripped through the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, inflicting heavy damage and killing and wounding thousands of many nationalities. These terrorist crimes have been viewed by the League as inadmissible and deserving all condemnation. Divergence of views between the Arabs and the United States over the latter’s foreign policy on the Middle East crisis does in no way adversely affect the common Arab attitude of compassion with the people and government of the United States at such moments of facing the menace and ruthlessness of international terrorism. In more than one statement released since the horrendous attacks, the League has also expressed deep sympathy with the families of the victims. In remarks to newsmen immediately following the tragic events, Arab League Secretary-General Amre Moussa described the feelings of the Arab world as demonstrably sympathetic with the American people, particularly with families and individuals who lost their loved ones. "It is indeed tormenting that any country or people or city anywhere in the world be the scene of such disastrous attacks," he added. While convinced that it is both inconceivable and lamentable that such a large-scale, organised terrorist campaign take place anywhere, anytime, the League believes that the dreadful attacks against WTC and the Pentagon unveil, time and again, that the cancer of terrorism can be extensively damaging if left unchecked. It follows that there is a pressing and urgent need to combat world terrorism. In this context, an earlier call by President Hosni Mubarak for convening an international conference to draw up universal accord on ways and means to eradicate this phenomenon and demonstrate international solidarity is worthy of active consideration. The Arabs have walked a large distancein the fight against cross-border terrorism by concluding in April 1998 the Arab Agreement on Combating Terrorism."

September 17, 2001, http://www.leagueofarabstates.org/E_Perspectives_17_09_01.asp

Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference:

"Following the bloody attacks against major buildings and installations in the United States yesterday, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz, secretary-general of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), stated that he was shocked and deeply saddened when he heard of those attacks which led to the death and injury of a very large number of innocent American citizens. Dr. Belkeziz said he was denouncing and condemning those criminal and brutal acts that ran counter to all covenants, humanitarian values and divine religions foremost among which was Islam."

Press Release, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 12, 2001, http://www.oic-oci.org/press/english/september%202001/america%20on%20attack.htm

Organization of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers:

"The Conference strongly condemned the brutal terror acts that befell the United States, caused huge losses in human lives from various nationalities and wreaked tremendous destruction and damage in New York and Washington. It further reaffirmed that these terror acts ran counter to the teachings of the divine religions as well as ethical and human values, stressed the necessity of tracking down the perpetrators of these acts in the light of the results of investigations and bringing them to justice to inflict on them the penalty they deserve, and underscored its support of this effort. In this respect, the Conference expressed its condolences to and sympathy with the people and government of the United States and the families of the victims in these mournful and tragic circumstances."

Final Communique of the Ninth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, October 10, 2001, http://www.oic-oci.org/english/fm/All%20Download/frmex9.htm

Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, Head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey:

"Any human being, regardless of his ethnic and religious origin, will never think of carrying out such a violent, evil attack. Whatever its purpose is, this action cannot be justified and tolerated."

Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, "A Message on Ragaib Night and Terrorism," September 21, 2001, http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/duyurular/regaibing.htm

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar), Turkish author:

"Islam does not encourage any kind of terrorism; in fact, it denounces it. Those who use terrorism in the name of Islam, in fact, have no other faculty except ignorance and hatred."

Harun Yahya, "Islam Denounces Terrorism," http://www.islamdenouncesterrorism.com

Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf Islahi, Pakistani-American Muslim leader:

"The sudden barbaric attack on innocent citizens living in peace is extremely distressing and deplorable. Every gentle human heart goes out to the victims of this attack and as humans we are ashamed at the barbarism perpetrated by a few people. Islam, which is a religion of peace and tolerance, condemns this act and sees this is as a wounding scar on the face of humanity. I appeal to Muslims to strongly condemn this act, express unity with the victims' relatives, donate blood, money and do whatever it takes to help the affected people."

"Messages From Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf Islahi," http://www.icna.org/wtc_islahi.htm

Abdal-Hakim Murad, British Muslim author:

"Targeting civilians is a negation of every possible school of Sunni Islam. Suicide bombing is so foreign to the Quranic ethos that the Prophet Samson is entirely absent from our scriptures."

"The Hijackers Were Not Muslims After All: Recapturing Islam From the Terrorists," http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/masud/ISLAM/ahm/recapturing.htm

Syed Mumtaz Ali, President of the Canadian Society of Muslims:

"We condemn in the strongest terms possible what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Canadians in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

Canadian Society of Muslims, Media Release, September 12, 2001, http://muslim-canada.org/news09112001.html

15 American Muslim organizations:

"We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the crime committed on September 11, 2001 and join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of up to 6000 innocent civilians."

Muslim American Society (MAS), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA), Muslim Student Association (MSA), Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), United Association for Studies and Research (UASR), Solidarity International, American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), United Muslim Americans Association (UMAA), Islamic Media Foundation (IMF), American Muslim Foundation (AMF), Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO), American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ), Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA), October 22, 2001, http://www.icna.org/wtc_pr.htm

American Muslim Political Coordination Council:

"American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

http://capwiz.com/cair/issues/alert/?alertid=49818&type=CU&azip=

Dr. Agha Saeed, National Chair of the American Muslim Alliance:

"These attacks are against both divine and human laws and we condemn them in the strongest terms. The Muslim Americans join the nation in calling for swift apprehension and stiff punishment of the perpetrators, and offer our sympathies to the victims and their families."

http://www.amaweb.org/AMA%20Condemns.html

Hamza Yusuf, American Muslim leader:

"Religious zealots of any creed are defeated people who lash out in desperation, and they often do horrific things. And if these people indeed are Arabs, Muslims, they're obviously very sick people and I can't even look at it in religious terms. It's politics, tragic politics. There's no Islamic justification for any of it. ... You can't kill innocent people. There's no Islamic declaration of war against the United States. I think every Muslim country except Afghanistan has an embassy in this country. And in Islam, a country where you have embassies is not considered a belligerent country. In Islam, the only wars that are permitted are between armies and they should engage on battlefields and engage nobly. The Prophet Muhammad said, ``Do not kill women or children or non-combatants and do not kill old people or religious people,'' and he mentioned priests, nuns and rabbis. And he said, ``Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees and do not poison the wells of your enemies.'' The Hadith, the sayings of the Prophet, say that no one can punish with fire except the lord of fire. It's prohibited to burn anyone in Islam as a punishment. No one can grant these attackers any legitimacy. It was evil."

San Jose Mercury News, September 15, 2001, http://www0.mercurycenter.com/local/center/isl0916.htm

Nuh Ha Mim Keller, American Muslim author:

"Muslims have nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing to hide, and should simply tell people what their scholars and religious leaders have always said: first, that the Wahhabi sect has nothing to do with orthodox Islam, for its lack of tolerance is a perversion of traditional values; and second, that killing civilians is wrong and immoral."

"Making the World Safe for Terrorism," September 30, 2001, http://66.34.131.5/ISLAM/nuh/terrorism.htm

Muslims Against Terrorism, a U.S.-based organization:

"As Muslims, we condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Ours is a religion of peace. We are sick and tired of extremists dictating the public face of Islam."

http://www.muslimsagainstterrorism.org/aboutus.html

Abdulaziz Sachedina, professor of religious studies, University of Virginia:

"New York was grieving. Sorrow covered the horizons. The pain of separation and of missing family members, neighbors, citizens, humans could be felt in every corner of the country. That day was my personal day of "jihad" ("struggle") - jihad with my pride and my identity as a Muslim. This is the true meaning of jihad – "struggle with one’s own ego and false pride." I don’t ever recall that I had prayed so earnestly to God to spare attribution of such madness that was unleashed upon New York and Washington to the Muslims. I felt the pain and, perhaps for the first time in my entire life, I felt embarrassed at the thought that it could very well be my fellow Muslims who had committed this horrendous act of terrorism. How could these terrorists invoke God’s mercifulness and compassion when they had, through their evil act, put to shame the entire history of this great religion and its culture of toleration?"

"Where Was God on September 11?," http://www.virginia.edu/~soasia/newsletter/Fall01/God.html

Ali Khan, professor of law, Washburn University School of Law:

"To the most learned in the text of the Quran, these verses must be read in the context of many other verses that stipulate the Islamic law of war---a war that the Islamic leader must declare after due consultation with advisers. For the less learned, however, these verses may provide the motivation and even the plot for a merciless strike against a self-chosen enemy."

"Attack on America: An Islamic Perspective, September 17, 2001, http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/forum/forumnew29.htm

Muqtedar Khan, assistant professor of political science, Adrian College, Michigan, USA:

"What happened on September 11th in New York and Washington DC will forever remain a horrible scar on the history of Islam and humanity. No matter how much we condemn it, and point to the Quran and the Sunnah to argue that Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, the fact remains that the perpetrators of this crime against humanity have indicated that their actions are sanctioned by Islamic values. The fact that even now several Muslim scholars and thousands of Muslims defend the accused is indicative that not all Muslims believe that the attacks are unIslamic. This is truly sad. ... If anywhere in your hearts there is any sympathy or understanding with those who committed this act, I invite you to ask yourself this question, would Muhammad (pbuh) sanction such an act? While encouraging Muslims to struggle against injustice (Al Quran 4:135), Allah also imposes strict rules of engagement. He says in unequivocal terms that to kill an innocent being is like killing entire humanity (Al Quran 5:32). He also encourages Muslims to forgive Jews and Christians if they have committed injustices against us (Al Quran 2:109, 3:159, 5:85)."

"Memo to American Muslims," October 5, 2001, http://www.ijtihad.org/memo.htm

Dr. Alaa Al-Yousuf, Bahraini economist and political activist:

"On Friday, 14 September , almost the whole world expressed its condemnation of the crime and its grief for the bereaved families of the victims. Those who abstained or, even worse, rejoiced, will have joined the terrorists, not in the murder, but in adding to the incalculable damage on the other victims of the atrocity, namely, Islam as a faith, Muslims and Arabs as peoples, and possibly the Palestinian cause. The terrorists and their apologists managed to sully Islam as a faith both in the eyes of many Muslims and non-Muslims alike."

Interview with the International Forum for Islamic Dialogue, London, http://www.islam21.net/pages/keyissues/key7-6.htm

Dr. S. Parvez Manzoor, Swedish-based Muslim author:

"If these acts of terror indeed have been perpetrated by Muslim radicals or fundamentalists, they have reaped nothing but eternal damnation, shame and ignominy. For nothing, absolutely nothing, could remotely be advanced as an excuse for these barbaric acts. They represent a total negation of Islamic values, an utter disregard of our fiqhi tradition, and a slap in the face of the Ummah. They are in total contrast to what Islamic reason, compassion and faith stand for. Even from the more mundane criteria of common good, the maslaha of the jurists, these acts are treasonous and suicidal. Islamic faith has been so callously and casually sacrificed at the altar of politics, a home-grown politics of parochial causes, primeval passions, self-endorsing piety and messianic terror."

Interview with the International Forum for Islamic Dialogue, London, http://www.islam21.net/pages/keyissues/key7-6.htm

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Islamic activist and former deputy prime minister:

"Never in Islam's entire history has the action of so few of its followers caused the religion and its community of believers to be such an abomination in the eyes of others. Millions of Muslims who fled to North America and Europe to escape poverty and persecution at home have become the object of hatred and are now profiled as potential terrorists. And the nascent democratic movements in Muslim countries will regress for a few decades as ruling autocrats use their participation in the global war against terrorism to terrorize their critics and dissenters. This is what Mohammed Atta and his fellow terrorists and sponsors have done to Islam and its community worldwide by their murder of innocents at the World Trade Center in New York and the Defense Depart-ment in Washington. The attack must be condemned, and the condemnation must be without reservation."

Anwar Ibrahim, "Growth of Democracy Is the Answer to Terrorism," International Herald Tribune, October 11, 2001, http://www.iht.com/articles/35281.htm

Ziauddin Sardar, British Muslim author:

"The failure of Islamic movements is their inability to come to terms with modernity, to give modernity a sustainable home-grown expression. Instead of engaging with the abundant problems that bedevil Muslim lives, the Islamic prescription consists of blind following of narrow pieties and slavish submission to inept obscurantists. Instead of engagement with the wider world, they have made Islam into an ethic of separation, separate under-development, and negation of the rest of the world."

Ziauddin Sardar, "Islam has become its own enemy," October 21, 2001, http://www.observer.co.uk/waronterrorism/story/0,1373,577942,00.html

Khaled Abou El Fadl, Kuwaiti-Egyptian-American legal scholar:

"It would be disingenuous to deny that the Qur'an and other Islamic sources offer possibilities of intolerant interpretation. Clearly these possibilities are exploited by the contemporary puritans and supremacists. But the text does not command such intolerant readings. Historically, Islamic civilization has displayed a remarkable ability to recognize possibilities of tolerance, and to act upon these possibilities."

Khaled Abou El Fadl, "The Place of Tolerance in Islam: On Reading the Qur'an -- and Misreading It," Boston Review, December 2001/January 2002, http://bostonreview.mit.edu/BR26.6/elfadl.html

See also:

Bernard Haykel, assistant professor of Islamic law at New York University:

"According to Islamic law there are at least six reasons why Bin Laden's barbaric violence cannot fall under the rubric of jihad: 1) Individuals and organizations cannot declare a jihad, only states can; 2) One cannot kill innocent women and children when conducting a jihad; 3) One cannot kill Muslims in a jihad; 4) One cannot fight a jihad against a country in which Muslims can freely practise their religion and proselytize Islam; 5) Prominent Muslim jurists around the world have condemned these attacks and their condemnation forms a juristic consensus (ijma') against Bin Laden's actions (This consensus renders his actions un-Islamic); 6) The welfare and interest of the Muslim community (maslaha) is being harmed by Bin Laden's actions and this equally makes them un-Islamic."

The Dawn newspaper, Karachi, Pakistan, October 8, 2001, http://www.dawn.com/2001/10/08/op.htm#2

See other collections of statements:

Omid Safi, Colgate University, "Scholars of Islam & the Tragedy of Sept. 11th," http://groups.colgate.edu/aarislam/response.htm

Tim Lubin, Washington and Lee University, "Islamic Responses to the Sept. 11 Attack," http://home.wlu.edu/~lubint/islamonWTC.htm

The Becket Fund, "Osama Bin Laden Hijacked Four Airplanes and a Religion," October 17, 2001, http://www.becketfund.org/other/MuslimAd.html

Islam for Today, "Muslims Against Terrorism,"

http://www.islamfortoday.com/terrorism.htm

Back to C. Kurzman home page.

Liberal Islam Web Links.

Updated June 28, 2002







Islamic world deplores US losses

Friday, 14 September, 2001, 19:26 GMT 20:26 UK BBC World

Religious leaders condemned the attacks

During Friday prayers Muslim clerics in the Arab world have strongly condemned Tuesday's attacks in America.

It's not courage in any way to kill an innocent person, or to kill thousands of people, including men and women and children, said Sheik Mohammed Sayed Tantawi.


Syria's most senior Islamic leader described the attacks on America as a terrorist act, as ignoble as what he called the state terrorism practised by Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians also rallied in the West Bank city of Ramallah to show support for Americans killed in the attacks, as well as condemn Israeli killing of Palestinians in Jenin.

And in Iran, Tehran's main football stadium observed an unprecedented minute's silence in sympathy with the victims.

'State terrorism'

Iran's Ayatollah Imami Kashani spoke of a catastrophic act of terrorism which could only be condemned by all Muslims, adding the whole world should mobilise against terrorism.

There were many expressions of sympathy throughout the Arab world


But if its roots were really to be tackled, terrorism and its practitioners would have to be defined, he said, pointing to Israel and calling it a "terrorist state which was killing children".

America's support and its arrogant policies around the world might help to explain the brutalism of the hijackers, he added.

On Thursday night, people who tried to stage a commemorative vigil in central Tehran, in spite of the ban on public gatherings, were broken up by police and Islamic volunteers.

'Barbaric acts'

The head of al-Azhar in Cairo, one of Sunni Islam's highest religious authority, said attacking innocent people was not courageous, but stupid and would be punished on Judgement Day.

Gaza City imam

"It's not courage in any way to kill an innocent person, or to kill thousands of people, including men and women and children," said Sheik Mohammed Sayed Tantawi.

In Lebanon the spiritual leader of the Shia guerrilla group, Hezbollah, called the attacks "barbaric acts".

He added even though Muslims were opposed to the American Government because of its support for Israel, the American people should not be blamed.





Messages From Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf Islahi

(Sh. Islahi is Chief Patron of Project WhyIslam and very well known writer and orator of Urdu language.)

The sudden barbaric attack on innocent citizens living in peace is extremely distressing and deplorable. Every gentle human heart goes out to the victims of this attack and as humans we are ashamed at the barbarism perpetrated by a few people.

Islam, which is a religion of peace and tolerance, condemns this act and sees this is as a wounding scar on the face of humanity. I appeal to Muslims to strongly condemn this act, express unity with the victims' relatives, donate blood, money and do whatever it takes to help the affected people.

The search for the terrorists is a big challenge for the authorities, and it is very imperative to hand out exemplary punishment to the culprits, no matter what nation or religion they belong to. The principles of collective justice should be applied such that no one can ever think again of taking the lives of innocent people. It is also important that no innocent person is implicated, because a criminal act on an innocent person is as abominable as a lack of justice to the perpetrator.

The peaceful citizens and authorities should also keep in mind that synonymy with the names of the terrorists do not brand a whole nation culpable in this crime. Rouge and devilish minded people can be found in any nation and a whole nation or religion cannot be stereotyped as terrorists due to heinous acts of a few deviant people. Allah blesses a nation with greatness when they fulfill the demands of justice.

It's our human responsibility to soothe and care for those people who have become a victim of this barbarism and horrible act. The killing of innocent humans is the biggest sin in Islam. Allah says in the Holy Quran.

"If anyone slew a person - unless it be for blood or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people."

Anyone who kills an innocent human being is devoid of the sanctity of human life. He is in fact the murderer of whole humanity. He is also the assassin of people belonging to his religion or nation. Such depraved people cannot be forgiven in any circumstances and they should be found and brought to justice.

I appeal to Muslims to depend on Allah, seek refuge and help from him. They should always uphold the progress and peace of the country where they live. They should think of the peaceful atmosphere of this country as a blessing from Allah and value it.

May Allah protect you all

Ameen



Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Condemns Attacks Against Civilians: Forbidden in Islam

DOHA, Qatar, Sept 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Renowned Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi denounced the attacks against civilians in the U.S. Tuesday and encouraged Muslims to donate blood to the victims of the attack.

In response to the bloody attack against civilians in the U.S., Sheikh Yusuf issued a statement Wednesday saying that:

"Our hearts bleed for the attacks that has targeted the World Trade Center , as well as other institutions in the United States despite our strong oppositions to the American biased policy towards Israel on the military, political and economic fronts.

"Islam, the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a grave sin, this is backed by the Qur'anic verse which reads:

Who so ever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind," (Al-Ma'dah:32).

"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, 'A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn't kill another person illegally'," the prominent scholar said.

He added that haphazard killing where the rough is taken with the smooth and where innocents are killed along with wrongdoers is totally forbidden in Islam. No one, as far as Islam is concerned, is held responsible for another's actions. Upon seeing a woman killed in the battlefield, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, denied the act and said: "That woman shouldn't have been killed anyway!".

Even in times of war, Muslims are not allowed to kill anybody save the one who is indulged in face-to-face confrontation with them. They are not allowed to kill women, old persons, children, or even a monk in his religious seclusion.

Qaradawi then asserted that is why killing hundreds of helpless civilians who have nothing to do with the decision-making process and are striving hard to earn their daily bread, such as the victims of the latest explosions in America, is a heinous crime in Islam. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have stated that a woman was qualified to enter Hell because of the cat she locked up to death.

"If such is the ruling applied in protecting animals, no doubt, aggression against human beings, a fortiori, deserves greater protection, for human beings are honored by Allah Almighty and are His vicegerents on earth," he added.

Al Qaradawi said, "we Arab Muslims are the most affected by the grave consequences of hostile attack on man and life. We share the suffering experienced by innocent Palestinians at the hands of the tyrannical Jewish entity who raze the Palestinian homes to the ground, set fire to their tilth, kill them cold-bloodedly, and leave innocent orphans wailing behind.

"With this in mind, the daily life in Palestine has become a permanent memorial gathering. When Palestinians face such unjust aggression, they tend to stem bloodletting and destruction and not to claim the lives of innocent civilians."

"I categorically go against a committed Muslim's embarking on such attacks. Islam never allows a Muslim to kill the innocent and the helpless.

"If such attacks were carried out by a Muslim - as some biased groups claim - then we, in the name of our religion, deny the act and incriminate the perpetrator. We do confirm that the aggressor deserves the deterrent punishment irrespective of his religion, race or gender," he added.

"What we warn against, even if becomes a reality, is to hold a whole nation accountable for a crime carried out by a limited number of people or to characterize a certain religion as a faith giving support to violence and terrorism," Qaradawi said.

Qaradawi clarified that when the well-known Oklahoma incident was carried out by a Christian American, who was driven by a personal interests, Christianity, America or even the Christian world, were not accused of the attack because a Christian masterminded it.

"I have been asked several questions on TV programs and on public lectures about the martyr operations outside the Palestinian territories, and I always answer that I do agree with those who do not allow such martyr operations to be carried out outside the Palestinian territories.

"Instead we should concentrate on facing the occupying enemy directly. It is not permissible, as far as Islam is concerned, to shift confrontation outside the Palestinian territories. This is backed by the Qur'anic verse that reads: "Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loves not, aggressors," the renowned Muslim scholar concluded.

http://www.cair-net.org/html/911statements.html

Avatar for schifferle
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 10:37am
Is the media to blame or...? Certainly, there is a concentration on TV & in print showing Muslims who are anti-America & not anti-terrorist. You have given an extremely impressive list, but I think much of America is unaware of these Muslims who have condemned attacks by Muslim Terrorists. Maybe seeing Muslims marching in protest here & abroad to condemn those who commit violent acts in the name of Islam would be even more helpful for having others view most Muslims positively. To show we're all in this together in fighting terrorism.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 11:09am
OH please Sandy!! It wouldn't matter if 10,000 muslims a day protest against what is happenning, people will still view muslims as terrorists or at the very least condoning this behavior. In reality, we shouldnt have to protest or make a press release after every attack.

Besides this person in hte orignial post was saying how western muslims never say anything, and i was simply showing they do. CAIR is the U.S. leading muslim group. If what they say doesnt mean a hill of beans to anyone, then that is not my problem.

It is up to the individual to believe or not to believe about muslims. There are just those certain days, that I do not care if someone thinks of me as a terrorist. Today is one of those days. What if you had to always issue some sort of an appology when something bad happens, but yet no one listens? It gets kind of tiresome and the feeling of why do it? It also gets really tiresome of having to defend the actions of the U.S. to people who live abroad. I get it from both sides and lately I just wish to be on my own island by myself. :-)

Avatar for schifferle
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 9:21am
The 9/11 tragedy and bigotry against Islam

By Mufti A. Hassan

Today is the third anniversary of the 9/11, the tragedy and the loss of innocent people, including Muslims, which was overwhelmingly condemned by all the peace living people around the world. The Muslim leaders, as always, condemned the act of terrorism and described the perpetrators of these crimes as enemies of Islam. The condemnation was spontaneous, unanimous and sincere and no one appeared to be trying to use this tragedy for political gains.

Scholars, both Muslims and non-Muslims took it was a wake up call and tried to put their thoughts together to find ways and means to combat this growing wave of violence. Almost every Muslim leader and Muslim organization expressed its deepest concern over these criminal acts perpetrated in the name of Islam.

They were actively trying to distance the Muslims as a whole from what they described as the cult of terrorism. The philosophy of peaceful coexistence practiced by the Muslims throughout history was highlighted to contradict and condemn those who used religion to achieve their own ends and distort the peaceful image of Islam.

There are people in every religion and every part of the world who make religious hatred and ideological controversies as their profession. America is no exception.

Incidentally, at a time, when an all out effort to contain religious hatred were launched by Muslim organizations and Muslim intellectuals and wave of Islamic moderation was about to gain momentum, a group of neocons and some misguided ideologues came forward and soured the whole atmosphere.

Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin tried to provoke an ideological war between Islam and Christianity last year. When describing his battle with a Somali Muslim warlord, General Boykin (in military uniform) said to a group of Evangelical Christians, "I knew that my God was bigger than his God. I knew that my god was a real God and his was an idol." Boykin has also made several statements indicating that America's enemy was "a spiritual enemy...called Satan," and that "radical Muslims" hate the United States, "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and roots are Judeo-Christian and the enemy is a guy named Satan." He described a dark section of a photograph of the Somali capital as the "evil" that is the real enemy. "It is not Osama bin Laden, it is the principalities of darkness. It is a spiritual enemy that will only be defeated if we come against them in the name of Jesus and pray for this nation and for our leaders."

Amid persistent attacks by US religious and political leaders as well as media against Islam and Muslims, in March this year, the Rand Corporation in its report - Civil Democratic Islam: partners, resources and strategies, - called for changing the basic structure of Islam. It regarded Islamic principles as appropriate for the 7th century society and not valid today. The report held Islam responsible for the underdevelopment of the Muslims. Cheryl Benard, the author of the report, questioned the authenticity of the Qu’ran itself. According to her, the Quran is a legend and some verses (suras) may have been falsely or inaccurately recorded in the Quran. “The daunting and complex task of religion-building (or revamping Islam) will include the necessity to depart from, modify, and selectively ignore elements of the original religious doctrine of Islam”, Benard suggested.

Then came the attack on Iraq for which a real justification has yet to be found. All this and similar acts of bigotry brought an abrupt end to a strong and powerful positive movement which was aimed at eliminating religious hatred and promoting peaceful co-existence. Most Muslim scholars and intellectuals distanced themselves for the acts of politicizing the 9/11 tragedy. They chose to maintain an unfortunate and deep silence.

Sept. 11, 2004

http://www.amperspective.com/html/bigotry.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.umanet.org/articles.cfm?fuseaction=articles.viewThisArticle&articleID=12


Edited 9/12/2004 9:33 am ET ET by schifferle

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 11:37am

What I found extraordinary was listening on FOX the other day

Renee ~~~