Muslim Americans United in Condemnation Apparent Terrorist Act
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Dr. Ahmad Sakr from the Islamic Education Center offers his condolences to the families of the victims and condemns the attack. Click here to listen |
Dr. Maher Hathout from the The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and The Islamic Center of Southern California condemns the attack and issue the following statement. Click here to listen |
Dr. Maher Hathout of MPAC & AMPCC & Salam al-Marayati reflect on the attack in Washington D.C. and New York. Click here to listen |
September 11 (iviews.com) American Muslims were unified in their condemnation of the apparent terrorist attacks attacks in New York and Washington Tuesday. In a statement released just hours after the explosions at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and other major U.S. landmarks, the American Muslim Political Coordination Council strongly condemned the attacks and offered condolences to the families of those who were killed or injured.
"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," said the The American Muslim Political Coordination Council in a statement.
The AMPCC consists of American Muslim Alliance, American Muslim Council, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Other major Muslim organizations soon followed suit in their reaction to Tuesday's events. The Islamic Society of North America, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Shari'a scholars Association of North America, American Muslims for Jerusalem, the American Shura Council of Southern California and the Minaret of Freedom Institute, a Washington area Islamic policy research institute all joined in criticizing the acts of terrorism.
"We join with all our fellow Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts," wrote ASCSC in a statement released Tuesday.
Islamic scholars and leaders such as Dr. Muzzamil Siddiqui and Dr. Ahmed Sakr of the Islamic Education Center were among those who offered condolences to families of the victims.
CAIR and other groups also asked Muslims nationwide to offer whatever assistance they could to help the victims of today's tragedy. Muslim leaders suggested that medical professionals offer aid and comfort to the victims and for Muslim relief agencies to offer support in the recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Muslim activists across the country braced themselves for a barrage of attention from the media and general public. In San Francisco, members of American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism were looking for volunteers to speak with members of the media.
Many are fearing a backlash similar to that which was experienced by the Muslim community shortly after the Oklahoma City Bombing.
"The shock phase will give way to the anger phase in a day or two. Allah help us when that happens," wrote one member.
CAIR asked community members to report incidents of anti-Muslim harassment or attacks. It also suggested steps to take to increase security
around mosques and Islamic centers. In the first few days following the 1995 attack on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, Muslims reported
more than 200 incidents of harassment, threats and actual violence.
CAIR has already received reports of harassment and attacks against Muslims who wear Islamic attire. In Raliegh, North Carolina, a mosque and Islamic school were shut down after threats.
And in Dallas, Texas, the Holy Land Foundation, the largest Muslim charity, also reportedly received death threats.
Topics: 9/11, Conflicts And War, Muslim Public Affairs Council, New York, Terrorism, World Trade Center
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