Paris Terror Attacks are against Humanity
and Violation
of All Religions
Dr. Mozammel Haque
Before
the Daesh or the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria
(ISIS), as it is known, had even claimed responsibility for the shootings and
explosions that killed more than 120 in Paris on Friday night, Muslims around
the world took to social media to condemn the perpetrators and defend Islam as
a faith of nonviolence, as it is reported by TIME magazine on 14 November 2015. Not much is known about the terrorists at this point,
except for the fact that the ones directly involved are all dead. But early
reports that the terrorists were speaking about France’s presence in
Syria, that one yelled “Allahu Akbar”
before opening fire in a crowded concert hall led many to conclude the
attackers were Muslim. The attacks have started a new round of condemnation of
Islam itself from long-time right-wing critics, Heather Timmons mentioned in
Quartz, on 14 November 2015.
Muslims
all over the world, from political leaders to ordinary common people, from
religious leaders to Muslim organisations, from scholars to social media,
openly and publicly came out to speak against the horrific terror attacks in
Paris.
Muslims
took to social media, Twitter and Facebook, to show support for Parisians
affected in the attacks and to demonstrate that they want no part in the
extremism and violence that terrorists commit in the name of Islam. Many
referred to the hashtag£TerrorismHasNoReligion, £NotInMyName and £IAmAMuslim.
Reaction from Muslims
Worldwide
Political Leaders
Leaders
of several Muslim-majority countries spoke out. Indonesian
President Joko Widodo, leader of the world's
most populous Muslim nation, condemned the
“violence that took place in Paris,” and called for more international
cooperation to fight terrorism,” reported in
QUARTZ, mentioned earlier.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia sent a message of
condolence to French President Hollande, saying, “We learned about the
pain and the sadness of the terrorist attacks in Paris. … We express our
condemnation for this repugnant terrorist act and offer our condolences to your
Excellency, the French people and the families of the victims,” reported in Al-Arabiya.
Leaders of Arab countries called the attacks immoral and
inhumane. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister declared they were “in violation and
contravention of all ethics, morals and religions.” The Saudi Foreign Ministry
called for global cooperation to “root out this dangerous and destructive
plague.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir described the Paris
attacks as a violation of all religions and a brutal assault that underlines
the need to further up the ante against terrorism by intensifying efforts to
put the evil practice in check forever. “I express our deep condolences to the
government and the people of France for the heinous terrorist attacks which are
in violation and contravention of all ethics, morals and religions,” Al-Jubeir
told reporters in Vienna as he arrived there for talks on ending the Syrian
civil war, as reported in Jeddah-based English daily, Arab News on 15 November
2015.
It is also reported, the Ministry spokesman pointed out that
Saudi Arabia always underscored the importance of collective international
efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and the need to
root out this dangerous plague which targets global security and stability.
Qatar's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah denounced the
"heinous attacks" adding "these acts, which target stability and
security in France are against all human and moral values". Kuwaiti leader
Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah called the attacks "criminal acts of terrorism
which run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values"
while the Saudi Foreign Ministry called for global cooperation to "root
out this dangerous and destructive plague". Reported in International
Business Times.
Religious leaders
Muslim religious leaders and Imams of Mosques also
condemned the horrific terror attacks in Paris. Saudi Arabia’s highest
religious body spoke out, saying “terrorists
are not sanctioned by Islam and these acts are contrary to values of mercy it
brought to the world.” Reported in QUARTZ .
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, the
thousand-year-old, highly influential centre for Sunni Muslim scholarship,
called the attacks “odious” and called on the world to “unite to face this
monster,” according to French
magazine Jeunea Frique. There is nothing Islamic about such people
and their actions are evil, and outside the boundaries set by our faith. (Jack
Jenkins Tweet 501 on November 14, 2015)
"Humanity has witnessed tonight the horror, violence
that we witness in this geography almost each day. I would like to express that
such attacks have not been carried against a single country, region or
continent, but the whole humanity, which accepts peace as a value and dignifies
humanitarian values on Earth", said Mehmet Görmez, head of Turkey's
Presidency of Religious Affairs – the highest ranking Islamic cleric in the
country.
In the United Kingdom,
the Imams of the following Mosques issued the following Press Release
from the Islamic Cultural Centre and London Central Mosque on Saturday, 14
November 2015 under the caption Paris Attack – An attack against the whole of
humanity
“Today
all of us woke up to the horrific news of the barbaric attacks which have taken
place in Paris.
“We
are deeply saddened by this news and sincerely send our condolences to the
families of the deceased. We pray to God to safeguard us all from such shocking
terrorist attacks committed by these criminals wherever and whoever they might
be.
“The
perpetrators of this heinous act go against the fundamental teachings of Islam,
which encourages the safe guarding of all human life.
“Allah
says in the Quran: "Whoever saves a life it is as if he has saved the life
of the whole humanity." (Qur’an 5:32) This also means, whoever kills a
life it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity.
“We,
the Islamic Centres in the United Kingdom (signed below) strongly condemn the
killing of innocent lives and strongly oppose the usage of Islam as the reason
behind such un-Islamic acts.
“We
are British and we will protect our society from the malicious misuse of Islam
to hurt any citizens from our communities.
“In
this time of difficulty, we urge people to stay calm and not play into the
hands of terrorists who seek to divide our society.
“It
is important to remember that these attackers show no bias between Muslim and
Non-Muslims alike in their crimes and that we all stand together in solidarity
against terrorism.
• The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque
Trust
• East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
• Al Manaar – Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
• Muslim Welfare House
• Mayfair Mosque
• Finsbury Park Mosque
• Al Muntada Al Islamic
• West London Islamic Cultural Centre “
Muslim Scholars
Professor Dr. Tariq Ramadan
Tariq Ramadan, an academic renowned for his Islamic studies,
a Professor of Islamic Studies at Oxford University in England and President of
the European Muslim Network think tank said in a statement: “Absolute and immediate
condemnation. They shouted, we are told, ‘Allahu akbar” (God [is] the greatest)
to support and justify their inhuman actions. “With this they told a lie and a
truth. Their lie is related to Islam and its message as not even one of its
teachings, ever, can justify their actions. These acts are the result of minds
inhabited by the worst, or minds without minds, manipulated or manipulators.” reported
in USA TODAY.
Professor Tariq Ramadan said in a statement, Paris, the
attacks.
While facing this horror, this blind violence, the killings
and massacres in the streets of the French capital, our first thought goes to
the victims, the injured, their families and friends. To them and to everyone,
our condolences and the testimony of our sympathy.
“Absolute and immediate condemnation.
Professor Tariq Ramadan said, “They shouted, we are told,
"Allahu akbar" (God [is] the greatest) to support and justify their
inhuman actions. With this they told a lie and a truth. Their lie is related to Islam and its message as not even
one of its teachings, ever, can justify their actions. These acts are the
result of the minds inhabited by the worst, or minds without minds, manipulated
or manipulators. The truth is that God, yes, in His grace, His love and His
compassion is greater than their killing madness and that Islam will never end
up being equated or amalgamated with their extremist violence.”
“The right reaction in France would be to join forces, to
set a united front. A true united front with the government and all the
institutions eventually understanding that the French Muslim citizens are
trully part of it : they are not those alien "objects of analysis."
Finally the problem of the fractured national unity is deep and it is upstream
of the attacks that, together, we need more work and education. To build
together the future and not to react to tragedies. A united front also means
the refusal, in the short and long term, of the political instrumentalization
of these heinous attacks. This would be a victory, but alas, we already hear
the whispers of predatory voices proving that, on this front, the defeat is
consumed,” Professor Ramadan said.
b) Yahya Adel Ibrahim
Yahya Adel Ibrahim, an Islamic teacher and imam in Perth,
Australia, said in a Facebook post:
“This criminal barbarity is Godlessness. Terrorism has no faith & cannot be
condoned by any means, rationale or ideology. We must commit to each other to
defeat it. Godless cowards attack unarmed, randomly selected, innocent people.
Terrorists are Sinful, immoral, barbaric criminals. My thoughts & prayers
are with the innocent victims, their families and communities." (USA
TODAY)
Muslim Organisations
a) In the United Kingdom – MCB
Muslims have come out in united condemnation to stand apart
from this evil. Many Muslim organisations such as the Muslim Council of Britain
(MCB) and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the United States
have condemned the bloodshed in the strongest possible terms, describing the actions
of the perpetrators as “outside the bounds of our faith.”
Muslim Council of Britain
Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) in the United Kingdom, an
umbrella body that represents more than 500 organizations including mosques,
schools and charities, described the killings as "horrific and
abhorrent." "My thoughts and prayers for the families of those killed
and injured and for the people of France, our neighbours," he said in a
statement.
Muslim Council of Britain has issued the following press
release under the caption Horrific Attacks in Paris: Muslim Council of Britain
Responds:
Muslim Council of Britain's Secretary General Dr Shuja
Shafi issued the following statement:
"The attacks once again in Paris are horrific and
abhorrent, and we condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms. My
thoughts and prayers for the families of those killed and injured and for the
people of France, our neighbours.
“This attack is being claimed by the group
calling themselves ‘Islamic State’. There is nothing Islamic about such people
and their actions are evil, and outside the boundaries set by our faith.”
“This week we have once again witnessed outrageous attacks
be that in Beirut earlier in the week or Paris today - there is no
justification for such carnage whatsoever. We hope those responsible are brought to
justice and face the full force of the law."
b) In the United States – CAIR
In the United States, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR), a Muslim social justice group, quickly issued a press release
rejecting.
“These savage and despicable attacks on civilians, whether
they occur in Paris, Beirut or any other city, are outrageous and without
justification,” CAIR’s statement read. “We condemn these horrific crimes in the
strongest terms possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of
those killed and injured and with all of France. The perpetrators of these
heinous attacks must be apprehended and brought to justice.”
CAIR is also part of a broad coalition of Muslim groups
scheduled to hold a press conference noon Saturday to collectively condemn the
attacks. The group is said to include representatives from CAIR, American
Muslims for Palestine, Islamic Circle of North America, Muslim Alliance in
North America, Muslim American Society, Muslim Legal Fund of America, Muslim
Ummah of North America, and the Mosque Cares, reported USA Today, 14 November
2015.
.
c)
Ireland
In Ireland, the Imam of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre and
Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council, offered prayers for
the victims and dismissed terrorist’s claims to Islam. “My thoughts and prayers
are with the people of Paris and every other place on earth plagued by sick men
with weapons and bombs,” Imam Umar Al-Qadri said.
“Terrorists have no religion whatsoever. Their religion is intolerance, hatred
for Peace.”
A
Silent Vigil
Beyond
words Muslim communities showed their solidarity through action. “It is
remarkable to see the scale and speed of reaction from Muslim communities
across the country. By this morning, Saturday, 14 November, 2015 – less than
one day after the attack – a silent vigil had been organised by the
Christian-Muslim Forum with support from the MCB and numerous other groups
across the country. At 6:30pm, tea lights and blue, white and red flowers will
adorn Trafalgar Square for the vigil,” reported by Miqdaad Versi in The daily, Independent,
14 November, 2015.
