July 15, 2005
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More Prominent Muslims Condemn Terror Attacks on London
EUROPE
1) PRESS RELEASE - July 7, 2005
The London Central Mosque Trust & the Islamic Cultural Centre Condemns
London Bombings and calls for unity
“Islam expressly condemns the use of violence against civilians and innocents. We call
on the Muslim community to be fully cooperative in this situation...the director
General...urges all Muslims to be unanimous in their strong support of the Government
anti-terrorist programmes.”
2) PRESS RELEASE - July 7, 2005
The Islamic Foundation United Kingdom
The Director General, Dr Manazir Ahsan said: “We deplore these barbaric acts and hope that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice quickly. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the victims and their families.”
3) WIRE REPORT, Reuters – July 8, 2005
Friday Sermons Berate Blasts, UK Muslims Pray for Victims
Muslim worshipers were encouraged to visit the victims and donate blood.
By Soha Elsaman, Ahmed Fathy, IOL Staff (IslamOnline.Net)
"We are so sorry that this attack is attached to Muslims. We can not imagine that a true
Muslim who understands properly the teachings of Islam can commit this terrible crime
against the civilians and innocent," Sheikh Ashraf Salah, Imam of London Central
Mosque, told attentive worshipers.
4) PRESS RELEASE - July 8, 2005
The Islamic Forum of Europe
The faithful join together to remember London bomb victims
Dr. M A Bari, Chairman of the Mosque said: ‘We’re just shocked and horrified by what has happened. The first of the bombing happened right on our door-step, at Aldgate - close to the largest Muslim community in the country. We have all been affected by these indiscriminate attacks’.
5) NEWSPAPER – Peterborough Today, July 11, 2005
LONDON ATTACK: Muslims united in condemnation
Mohammed Amin, secretary of the Mosque Committee, issued a statement on behalf of all four mosques in the city: Jaimia Ghousia, Gladstone Street; Faidhan-e-Madina, Gladstone Street; Islamic Centre, Cromwell Road; Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Community, in Burton Street. It read: "The Muslim community are extremely sad and pray for all those who have lost their lives or been injured in this terrible incident. We are united with the rest of the country and indeed the world in condemning the terrorists who committed this atrocity.”
6) NEWSPAPER - The Daily Post, July 11, 2005
Wirral mosque torched in bombings backlash
By Sam Lister And Graham Davies, Daily Post
Assistant priest of Wirral Mosque Boshir Ullah
"Whoever committed these acts were cowards, who indiscriminately killed innocent people. The Islamic religion is about living with others in harmony, and there should be no connection with the people who committed these atrocities and the Islamic faith.”
7) PRESS RELEASE - July 8, 2005
A joint statement from the Muslim Council of Britain and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
“Utterly condemns the perpetrators of what appears to be a series of coordinated attacks in London this morning that have led to several fatalities and a large number of casualties.”
8) PUBLIC REMARKS - July 8, 2005
Text of sermon by Shaykh Abdul-Qayyum, Imam of East London Mosque
“The evil people who planned and carried out these indiscriminate acts of terror in London are criminals. No religion can accept what they have done. Their actions are crime and terror, which all should condemn. They should be brought to justice and they should be punished without asking what is their race or religion.”
9) TELEVISION (and on-line) - BBC, July 10, 2005
Report containing quote from July 10 interfaith event. "It is an evil that cannot be justified and that we utterly condemn and reject," said Sheikh Dr Zaki Badawi, of the Council of Mosques and Imams.
10) PRESS RELEASE - July 11, 2005
Muslim Council of Britain
MCB Communication to Imams and Muslim Organisations about London Terror Attacks
The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, “We know that there may be some unscrupulous elements in our society who may look upon Thursday’s carnage as a morbid opportunity to attack and undermine British Muslims, their institutions and mosques…. If you are subjected to any Islamophobic attack or abuse please report this to your local police station immediately. We must not allow anyone to succeed in fomenting strife and disorder in our society.”
11) TELEVISION - July 8, 2005 SERBIA & MONTENEGRO (KOSOVO): "Islamic Community Condemns Terrorist Attacks In London"
Mufti Naim Ternava has said the Islamic Community of Kosova [BIK] condemned in the strongest terms Thursday's [ 7 July] terrorist attacks in London and regarded them as an attack on the human and civic values of democratic societies. "We received with deep sadness the news of yesterday's attacks against the capital of your country, in which many innocent people lost their lives.” "In these very difficult moments for you and your people, Kosovars express their solidarity with the families of the killed and wounded; we wish them a speedy recovery from these attacks."
12) STATEMENT – July 7, 2005 THE FEDERATION OF ISLAMIC
ORGANIZATIONS IN EUROPE
“This heinous attack, which shook the world, runs in the face of all religious ethic, and human values and must be condemned in no uncertain terms…Muslims in Britain as well as across Europe stand should to shoulder with their respective country-folk in order to achieve the best interest of European societies and safeguard their respective safety security and prosperity.”
13) STATEMENT – July 7, 2005 MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF BRITIAN
“Following early indications that the coordinated blasts in London this morning are likely
to have been a coordinated terrorist attack, the Muslim Association of Britain expresses
its disgust with the contempt in which the perpetrators appear to hold human life.”
"Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard and shedding the
blood of an innocent person is seen as a crime most heinous and repulsive.”
14) STATEMENT – July 7, 2005 THE BRITISH MUSLIM FORUM
“The British Muslim Forum (BMF) severely condemns the tragic incidents that took
place in the city of London this morning.” "Our hearts go out to all those who have
been affected and we express our sympathy to their families and friends.”
15) STATEMENT – July 7, 2005 – AUSTRIA
“The Islamic Congregation In Austria Resolutely And Sharply Condemns The Brutal Attacks Of London"
Austrian Islamic League of Culture, Declaration by Professor Anas Shakfeh, president of the Islamic Congregation: “Europe and people all around the world are shocked by the atrocious attacks of London and the messages about an ever increasing number of innocent victims. The Islamic Congregation in Austria resolutely and sharply condemns these brutal attacks.”
16) PUBLIC REMARKS – July 8, 2005 – BOSNIA-HERZOGOVINA
"Bosnian Muslim Leader Condemns London Bombings"
The head of Bosnia's Muslim community, Mustafa Ceric, "We condemn the terrorist attacks on London. Those who kill innocent people do not deserve to be called people. They are barbarians who deserve our contempt," Ceric said in a statement. "We extend our condolences to the families of the London victims with the hope that the murderers will be found and punished."
17) WIRE REPORT – July 8, 2005 – PAP, Polish News Agency, POLAND
"Polish Muslim Organization Condemns London Bomb Attacks"
The Muslim Religious Union in Poland condemns terrorist attacks in London and expresses sympathy for the families of the victims. Speaking on behalf of Polish Muslims, the union is once again condemning any acts of terror and war, the head of the Council of Imams of the Muslim Religious Union in Poland, Mufti Tomasz Miskiewicz, said. Islam condemns terrorism, killings and injustice directed against innocent people. The men who authored this barbarous attack surely do not have any links with Islam, the statement said.
18) WIRE REPORT – July 9, 2005 – Belgrade FoNet - SERBIA
“Serbian Islamic Community Condemns Cowardly Act"
Serbian Islamic community condemns "cowardly act of attacking" civilians in UK Belgrade: The Islamic Community of Serbia today most sharply condemned terrorist bomb attacks carried out on Thursday [7 July] in central London, and it offered deepest condolences to the people of Great Britain over suffered losses. We believe that this is a cowardly act of attacking civilians which hit a bottom of morality and showed utter unscrupulousness on part of those who had planned and carried out the explosions, a statement signed by the Islamic Community of Serbia chairman, Hamdija Jusufspahic, said.
19) NEWSPAPER – July 9, 2005 - Madrid La Razon - SPAIN
"Spanish Muslim Leader Rejects London Bomb Attacks"
“Today the president of the Union of Islamic Communities of Spain, Riay Tatary, called on the terrorists who commit attacks in the name of Islam to seek "other means to fight foreign occupation" and to realize that these actions "are completely contrary to Islamic values". He stressed that terrorist actions like those of 9/11 in New York, 3/11 in Madrid or those committed in London on Thursday [7 July] "only cause harm to everybody, starting with the Muslims who live in Europe and elsewhere and do not help coexistence and peace".
20) STATEMENT – July 7, 2005 – SPAIN
"The Islamic Commission of Spain and Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities Express Their Solidarity With the UK in a Communique Sent to the British Embassy in Madrid"
"The Islamic Commission of Spain and FEERI (Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities) have sent a telegram to the British Embassy in Madrid expressing their solidarity with the British people and the city of London, and expressing also their strongest condemnation of the 7 June [as published] terror attacks in the British capital.”
COUNTRIES WITH SIGNIFICANT MUSLIM POPULATIONS:
1) TELEVISION - July 8, 2005 IRAQ: "Sunni, Shiite Clerics Condemn London Attacks, Defend Islamic Religion"
Baghdad Al-Sharqiyah Television in Arabic was observed at 1205 GMT on 8 July to carry two consecutive recorded statements by two Iraqi clerics, both of whom condemn the 7 July attacks in London. First to speak is Sunni cleric Shaykh Ahmad Abd-al-Ghafur al-Samarra'i, imam and preacher of the Um Al-Qura Mosque in Baghdad, who starts by saying that Muslims and the Islamic world have clearly stated their rejection of attacks on civilians, be they Muslim or non-Muslim.
2) TELEVISION - July 8, 2005 LEBANON: "Lebanese Friday Imams Condemn London Bombings, Tackle Lebanese, Other Issues"
"Beirut Lebanese National News Agency at 1318 GMT, the agency carries a report on the sermon delivered by Shaykh Abd-al-Amir Qabalan, vice chairman of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council at the council offices. He describes the bombing in London as 'a human carnage, which we must ponder and ask: Where are nations heading? Where are the hurdles that must deter the people behind these inclinations, stop their actions, and punish them?' Shaykh Qabalan calls on 'all nations, states, and peoples to take action and cooperate with each other so as to put to end to this disregard for innocent blood and tackle its causes and results.'
3) TELEVISION - July 8, 2005 SAUDI ARABIA: "Muslim World League Condemns Blast Incidents In London"
The Secretariat General of Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned the blast incidents which took place in London on Thursday killing tens and injuring hundreds of people. A statement issued by MWL's Secretary General Dr Abdullah Al-Turki described the blast incidents as vicious acts which contradict to the teachings of Islam. ‘On behalf of the Muslims and the Islamic organizations represented at the MWL, the MWL would like to condemn this criminal act which led to the killing of innocent civilians', said the statement.
4) NEWSPAPER - July 8, 2005 MALAYSIA: "Malaysia's Islamic Opposition Party 'Strongly Condemned' London Bombings"
PAS [Pan Malaysian Islamic Party] has strongly condemned the bombing attacks in London yesterday and described them as inhuman and uncivilized. In this connection, PAS Vice President Ustadz Nasharudin Mat Isa , who was contacted by Harakahdaily today, said that PAS had extended a message of sympathy to those who became victims.
5) RADIO - July 9, 2005 IRAN: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Radio 1 in Persian Ayatollah Makkarem-Shirazi, a source of emulation, issued a statement condemning recent bombings in London. The statement says that Islam is the religion of kindness and affection, and does not permit harming of any innocent individual. Those who commit such inhumane acts are not Muslims, even if they call themselves Muslims. They are only defaming Islam and Muslims with what they do, and are blemishing the beautiful image of Islam.
6) NEWSPAPER – The London Times (Internet Version) - July 12, 2005 BRITAIN
Muslims Are Urged To Help Find The Bombers
"The leader of Britain's Islamic community told Muslims yesterday that they had a duty to help to catch the perpetrators of the London bombings. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the chairman of the Muslim Council of Britain, wrote to the imams of the country's 1,200 mosques to denounce the bombings and to urge Muslims to assist the authorities. 'Let us be absolutely clear: those who planned and carried out these heartless attacks--whoever they are and whatever faith they may claim to profess--are surely the enemies of us all,' Sir Iqbal wrote. 'It is the duty of all of us to help bring the perpetrators of this tragedy to justice speedily. It is quite possible that if they are not caught soon, these criminals may attempt to carry out yet more atrocities in the near future.'
7) NEWSPAPER – Attajdid – July 12, 2005 MOROCCO
The Justice And Charity Movement Condemn London Blasts
The Justice and Charity Movement has strongly condemned the terrorist blasts: 'God willing, it will be a matter of days, and the truth about this heinous act and other similar ones, and those behind it as well as the truth about its motives would be revealed.'
8) WIRE REPORT – July 11, 2005 - Iranian Labor News Agency IRAN
"Senior Cleric Condemns London Bombings"
Ayatollah Montazeri has condemned London bombings: …‘The killings are definitely not compatible with any logic or any divine religion and are hated by all honest human beings with a conscience... As I have repeatedly said, and will say hereby again: Islam is 100% against such violence and killings and most of the Muslims in the world hate such crimes. Islam condemns terrorism…I would like to remind the British people and other nations not to consider these atrocities as a part of Islam and not to fall into the traps of the enemies of Islam who are trying to tarnish the real image of Islam and Muslims and pressure the Muslims residing the Europe or America.’
9) NEWSPAPER - Straits Times (Internet Version) – July 12, 2005 SINGAPORE
Statement By Islamic Studies Center: "Attacks Completely Immoral"
“The Centre For Contemporary Islamic Studies would like to add our voice to those of all the Muslims and non-Muslims around the world who have condemned the recent attacks on the transportation system in London. Our sympathies go out to the innocent civilians and the families of those who have been killed or injured. Such acts of hatred and violence which target innocent civilians are completely immoral and cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
10) PUBLIC REMARKS– July 8, 2005 – INDIA
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Acceptance of Honorary Degree from Oxford University: “I must, at the outset, express my deep sense of shock and anger at the terrorist attacks in London yesterday. I convey sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and those who have been injured. I also extend the sympathy and solidarity of the people of India with the people of the United Kingdom, in particular the citizens of London…Every time terrorists strike anywhere, all of us who believe in democracy and the rule of law must stand together and affirm our firm commitment to fight this scourge resolutely and unitedly.”
11) PUBLIC REMARKS – July 8, 2005 – INDIA
President Kalam Consoles Loss of Lives in London Bombings, New Delhi:
The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam stated, " I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrorist bombings in London yesterday, which led to the loss of so many innocent lives. As a victim of countless such terrorist attacks for over two decades, India shares the anguish of the British people in this hour of grief. These outrageous acts only underline the importance for civilized nations to work together in a common effort to fight the scourge of terrorism, that threatens democratic societies and their values."
12) STATEMENT – July 8, 2005 – INDIA
AIMMM Condemns the Terrorist Attack on London; Reiterates its Rejection of Unjustifiable Violence in the Name of Islam, New Delhi: Shri Syed Shahabuddin, President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), issued the following statement: “The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) strongly condemns the terrorist attack on London in which many innocent persons have been killed and injured. It is particularly deplorable because it took place at a time when the leading economic powers of the world had gathered on the British soil to plan for the elimination of global poverty and rising indebtedness of the developing countries from the face of planet. We offer our deep condolences to the next-of-kin of those killed and sympathy to those who have been injured. We reiterate our absolute and unconditional rejection of such violent acts committed in the name of Islam.”
13) WIRE REPORT – July 8, 2005 – TURKEY
"Religious Affairs Head Condemns Bomb Attacks In London"
Prof. Dr. Ali Bardakoglu, the Religious Affairs Head in Turkey condemned on Friday the terrorist attacks in London. "The ones who are behind these attacks should never forget that killing one innocent human being is equal to killing the whole humanity, therefore they will be punished by God," Bardakoglu said in a written statement. The attacks caused deep sorrow and hatred in Turkish and Muslim society and in the world, Bardakoglu said, expressing his wish for a peaceful world.
14) PRESS RELEASE – July 8, 2005 - INDIA
All India Mili Council, New Delhi:
Press Release from Safi Akhtar, Office Secretary:
Dr. Mohammad Manzor Alam, General Secretary All India Mili Council has expressed his deep anguish over the deplorable incident of serial bomb blasts at four public places of London on 7th of July and the heavy loss of innocent lives. Dr. Alam has condemned it as it is an outrage with human civilization. He has expressed sympathy with the families of those who have been killed and seriously injured in this unfortunate incident.
