Imam Feisal Speaks out against terrorist attacks in London July 7, 2005: 4:15 PM Eastern Stand Time : New York City
PRESS RELEASE
(New York. 7/7/05) - A prominent New York City Imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf today decried this morning's terrorist attacks in London as "crimes against humanity."
In his statement, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said: The Holy Quran teaches us that "Whoever kills a human being...it is as if he has killed all humankind: and if he saves a human life, it is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind" Quran 5:32
We condemn the abuse of religion by fanatics whose sole purpose is to rouse hate. Nothing is as antithetical to all religion and especially to Islam, as the wanton violence wreaked by the recent attacks in London. We cry out against such violence, and seek to console those who have lost their loved ones and suffered from injuries.
Our voices are raised together to proclaim support for our British sisters and brothers who have experienced tragic loss of innocent life. We pray for a future that is replete with peace and love for all of humanity across the world.
Today also further emphasizes the need for greater efforts by Muslim leaders & thinkers to come together to present to the world the true essence of Islam as a religion of moderation and compassion. Just days ago, I attended a historic International Islamic Conference "True Islam and Its Role in Modern Society" in Amman, Jordan held under the auspices of His Majesty King Abdullah II. The goal of this conference was to put forth a constructive effort to unify two major branches of Islam, Sunni and Shi'ite, in standing against Islamic extremists.
In addition to gathering over 170 prominent scholars (representing all Madhahib or major schools of thought) from all parts of the Islamic world as well as America & Europe the conference succeeded in attaining the signatures of all attendees on a document that spoke against the practice of labeling others as apostates, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. It also set specific Islamic criteria for individuals to issue religious rulings (or fatwa). The document defined the qualifications for issuing fatwas, since the so-called fatwas justifying terrorism are all being issued outside of the established schools of religious law and are in clear violation of their common principles.
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Imam Feisal is the Founder of ASMA: American Society for Muslim Advancement, an Islamic cultural and educational organization dedicated to building bridges between American Muslims and the American public: www.asmasociety.org and Co- Founder of The Cordoba Initiative, a multi faith organization whose mission is to heal the relationship between The Muslim World and America. http://www.cordobainitiative.org
CONTACT:
Daisy Khan, 201 868 4060 or 212- 362-2242,
E-Mail: daisy@asmasociety.org
Daanish Masood 917 492 8690, Fax: 917-492-8687,
E- Mail: dmasood@asmasociety.org
Address:
175 East 96th Street, Suite 21T,
NYC, NY 10128
info@asmasociety.org
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from: Jean-Pierre