(Washington, DC) - The leaders of national American Muslim organizations met yesterday in Washington, DC, to discuss the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Tuesday. The following statement was issued from the meeting:
"We condemn in the harshest terms the cowardly and senseless acts of terror perpetrated against innocent American citizens, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, in New York and Washington, DC on Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy.
In this light, we call on all Muslim Americans and all mosques to designate this Friday, the Muslim holy day, a day of mourning. We call on Imams to dedicate the khutbah (sermon) for the victims of this horrible act and for their families.
We call on all mosques and Islamic centers to come together in the wake of this tragedy and donate blood to help the innocent victims. This tragedy affects all of us as Americans, and we should do whatever we can to help the injured people currently being rescued from the wreckage and their families. We encourage all mosques and Islamic centers to organize blood drive campaigns, and we encourage everyone to visit hospitals and medical centers in Washington, DC, New York City, and around the country to donate much needed blood.
We also ask our law enforcement officials to help protect mosques and Islamic centers from suffering the backlash of prejudice and stereotyping. We urge all American Muslims to be extra careful when attending Friday prayer and vigilant to prevent possible reprisals. American Muslims, like all Americans, share the pain and loss of yesterday's evil act. Yet, American Muslims should not have to also be under siege, living in fear for the safety of their families because of perceived prejudicial retaliations. We call on the American public to refrain from giving in to prejudice and racial or ethnic stereotyping."
The assembled organizations included:
Islamic Institute (II)
American Muslim Council (AMC)
American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ)
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
Council on American Islamic relations (CAIR)
Solidarity International for Human Rights
American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
American Muslim Political Coordinating Council (AMPCC)
United Association for Studies and Research (UASR)