Muslim Organizations Condemn Terrorist Acts Against Christian Churches in Egypt & Nigeria

Posted Jan 2, 2011      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version Bookmark and Share

MPAC CONDEMNS ‘HEINOUS CRIMINAL’ TERRORIST ACT AGAINST EGYPTIAN CHURCH ON NEW YEARS DAY

(Washington, DC - 1/1/11)—The Muslim Public Affairs Council today condemned the bomb blast that killed at least 21 people and injured nearly 80 others at a Coptic Christian Church in Alexandria, Egypt during a New Years mass just after midnight.

SEE:  Egypt Church Bomb Kills 21 at New Year’s Mass (CBS News)

It was the deadliest violence involving Christians in more than a decade, and comes on the heels of several attacks and threats made to Christian minority communities in Egypt and the broader Middle East.

“We as Muslim Americans are horrified, along with Christians and all people of faith, of this atrocious act,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati. “Whoever committed this evil act, especially during a religious service, can only be described as a heinous criminal.” 

MPAC mourns the loss of Christian lives and opposes any effort to cleanse Christians from Egypt, Iraq or any other country in the Middle East, which has been the home of Christianity since the birth of Christ.  MPAC will reach out to Coptic Christian leaders in the U.S. to mourn together, offer any assistance needed at this perilous time, and work together for greater protection and harmony between Muslims and Christian minorities abroad.

SEE ALSO: On Christmas, A Call for Muslim-Christian Cooperation (MPAC)
Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of American Muslims. 

CAIR CONDEMNS CHURCH ATTACKS IN EGYPT, NIGERIA

U.S. Muslim group asks authorities to bring perpetrators to justice

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/3/11)—The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned both a New Year’s Day attack on a church in Egypt and a series of attacks on churches in Nigeria.

In a statement, CAIR said:

“We condemn the heinous attacks on churches in Egypt and Nigeria and repudiate the apparent motive of the perpetrators to harm long-term relations between Muslims and Christians. We offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured and call on authorities in both nations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The best response to these cowardly attacks is to redouble efforts to build bridges of understanding between faiths.

“Islamic principles mandate good relations with people of other faiths and encourage constructive interfaith dialogue. As the Quran, Islam’s revealed text states: ‘(Rest assured that) those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians, and the Sabians - whoever believes in God and the last day and performs good deeds - will be rewarded by their Lord. They will have nothing to fear or to regret.’ (The Holy Quran, 2:62)

“The Quran also states: ‘Say: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is to Him that we surrender ourselves.’” (The Holy Quran, 2:136)

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.


The Islamic Society of North America Condemns New Year’s Attacks in Egypt and Nigeria; Sends Prayers and Condolences to All Affected


(Plainfield, IN Jan 3, 2011)  The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) sends heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families and community members affected by the senseless January 1st attacks in Alexandria, Egypt and Abuja, Nigeria. It also condemns these barbaric acts that go against the very essence of every Godly teachings across religions.

On Saturday, more than 20 people were killed and more than a hundred injured as they gathered outside of a church after prayer service in Alexandria.  In Abuja, more than 20 Christians and Muslims were killed and dozens more injured as they gathered to celebrate the New Year.

“It is a sad day for all people when a simple act of worship or community celebration is marked by violence and innocent deaths.  ISNA asks Muslim community members and organizations in Egypt and Nigeria to lend support to the families who lost loved ones during these attacks and urges Muslim Americans to join them in prayer for God to ease the suffering of all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid.

ISNA and the American Muslim community recognize that these acts of violence requires us to double our efforts in promoting religious harmony and the right of people to worship free from fear and violence everywhere in the world. “The small faction of fanatics that wish to ignite religious violence and strife across the world must not be allowed to succeed” said ISNA Secretary General Safaa Zarzour.

“These bombings are absolutely reprehensible.  ISNA condemns any and all acts of violence against innocent civilians.  The attacks in Egypt and Nigeria are unacceptable and ISNA urges the Egyptian and Nigerian governments to take all measures to prosecute the individuals responsible for these heinous crimes swiftly and to the fullest measure.  We applaud President Obama’s commitment to lend support from the United States to prosecute these individuals and bring peace to innocent civilians,” said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid.

ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.

ISLAMIC SUPREME COUNCIL OF CANADA

The head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada has come out strongly against a suicide bomb attack in Egypt.  Imam Syed Soharwardy calls the action cowardly, saying it violates Muslim principles.

“Those people who are using Islam to justify violence and hate against Christians and Jews and people of other faiths, they are absolutely wrong and they should be condemned” says Soharwardy.

 

Co-CHAIRS OF THE C-1 WORLD DIALOGUE CONDEMN ALEXANDRIA COPTIC CHURCH BOMBING

His Eminence Dr. Ali Gomaa, The Grand Mufti of Egypt (Co-chair), & His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus (Acting Co-chair), Together with His Eminence Dr Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia (Vice Co-Chair)


On behalf of the members and Executive of the C-1 World Dialogue we condemn the horrifying attack in Alexandria outside a Coptic Church and a nearby Mosque killing so many Christians as well as Muslims.

Christians and Muslims are as one in knowing that such an act is contrary to the law of God and can have no possible justification. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all who have been affected and especially to the families of all those killed or wounded. We pray too for those so blinded by fear and hatred as to be involved in committing such crimes and call them to repent.

This act of terrorism was an affront to all Egyptians. It must not be used to sow discord in a country where Christians and Muslims have lived together in peace for centuries. It is vital for the peace of the region and wider world that the place of religious minorities and their full participation in society should continue to be fully protected and assured.

We call upon all Christians, Muslims and people of good will to reach out in their local communities, churches and mosques and to come together in practical solidarity against violence and all those who use it to promote strife and discord.

We are all called as human beings to follow the two great commandments of which the Common Word letter reminds us, namely to love God and our neighbour and we urge everyone to come together in fulfilment of them.


INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR MUSLIM SCHOLARS (IUMS), 

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, President of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), vehemently denounced the suicide attack, which happened during New Year’s Eve outside the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church on Saturday, killing 21 people and wounding 80 others.

Al-Qaradawi stressed that “the perpetrators of this crime are criminals, assassins and non-Muslims because Islam asserts the sanctity of human life and strongly prohibits aggression against it. Islam does not condone the killing of the innocent civilians of any nation or nationality except for a prescribed penalty. Murdering the civilians of any nationality by a group, individual or even nations at random, especially if they are celebrating in a place of worship could never be viewed as jihad and is undoubtedly against the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah”.

The Qur’an, along with other divine scriptures, states that [Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind] (Al-Ma’idah: 32)

Islam considers killing others as one of the gravest of sins in the sight of Allah. This heinous sin and abominable crime leads to Allah’s curse in this world and His severe punishment in the Hereafter.

The International Association of Muslim Scholars (IAMS) is appalled to see the bloody incidents that left behind great numbers of innocent civilian casualties who were killed in cold blood without any sin committed on their part.

The ethical constitution of legitimate warfare in Islam dictates that it is prohibited to kill anyone except those who are engaged in fighting. In this legitimate war, fighting is restricted to face-to-face confrontation between Muslims and the army of the aggressors. Upon seeing a woman killed in the battlefield, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) renounced the act and forbade killing women, children, the aged, monks in their hermitages, farmers in their lands, and traders. All of these are protected, so how could it be permissible to kill people who worship Allah in a religious event? This is never permitted by Islam.

 

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