American Muslim Organizations Repudiate Anwar al-Awlaki’s Praise for Fort Hood Shooter

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American Muslim Organizations Repudiate Anwar al-Awlaki’s Praise for Fort Hood Shooter

CAIR Repudiates Anwar al-Awlaki’s Praise for Fort Hood Shooter

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/9/09) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today repudiated online remarks by a former Virginia imam praising Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who allegedly killed 13 people and wounded 29 others in a shooting spree last week at Fort Hood in Texas.

The posting on the web site of Anwar al-Awlaki called Hasan a “hero” and said American Muslim groups, like CAIR, that condemned the Fort Hood attack are “hypocrites” and traitors to Islam.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“As American Muslims said with one voice when this cowardly attack first occurred, no ideology could ever justify or excuse such violence. To call the alleged killer a ‘hero’ makes a mockery of every Islamic principle of justice. The twisted and misguided views in Anwar al-Awlaki’s posting are not those of American Muslims and do not reflect mainstream Islamic beliefs or sentiments.”

Immediately following the attack at Fort Hood, CAIR issued a strong condemnation of the deadly shootings and urged the nation to remain calm and unified.


MPAC REJECTS RADICAL IMAM’S PRAISE FOR FORT HOOD SHOOTER

(Washington, DC - 11/9/09)—The Muslim Public Affairs Council today said it is repulsed by an online posting by a former U.S. imam, which praised Maj. Nidal Hasan as a “hero” for the shooting and killing 13 soldiers and injuring 31 at Fort Hood last week. 

SEE: “Radical Imam Praises Alleged Fort Hood Shooter” (Associated Press)

“Awlaki’s statement is deplorable and sickening, and has no place in our country or in Islam,” said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed as well as to those wounded and their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with law enforcement and the US military to maintain the safety and security of all Americans.”

Awlaki is thought to currently reside in Yemen, where he is on the country’s “most wanted militant list.” The posting on his website says that American Muslim groups who condemned the violent acts of Hasan have “committed treason against the Muslim ummah (community) and have fallen into hypocrisy.”

Anwar Al-Awlaki served as the imam of at least two mosques in the United States before he left the U.S. in 2002. Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, VA today repudiated Awlaki’s statements, saying: “With this reversal, Mr. Al-Awlaki has clearly set himself apart from Muslims in America. We continue to send our condolences and prayers for recovery of all the victims of this godless act.”

Dar al Hijrah Mosque Statement

After the recent tragic events in Fort Hood, Texas a hate-filled statement was made by a former imam of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Anwar Al-Awlaki. As we understand the teaching of the scriptures our mission and method as Americans of faith is to enrich our society with faith, service, wisdom and beautiful preaching of God’s love and mercy to all of mankind.

We openly denounce the statement of Mr. Al-Awlaki as posted on his website and those who may follow him.  During Mr. Al-Awlaki’s employment his public speech was consistent with the values of tolerance and cooperation.

Mr. Awlaki now claims that the American Muslims who have condemned the violent act of Major Hassan “committed treason against the Muslim Umaah and have fallen into hypocrisy”.  With this reversal Mr. Al-Awlaki has clearly set himself apart from this community. He served a brief term of employment at Dar Al-Hijrah from January 2001 until his departure in April 2002.

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