In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Pittsburgh Chapter
801 N. Negley Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Tel: 412-606-3601
E-mail: cair.pittsburgh@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday September 14, 2012
CAIR-PA Pittsburgh Chapter
CAIR-PA Pittsburgh Chapter, and the entire Pittsburgh Muslim community, are deeply disturbed and mourn the deaths of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other distinguished diplomatic servicemen, and we pray for their families. CAIR unequivocally condemns the violence in Libya, Egypt, Yemen, and other countries. This violence is unrelated to any religious teachings or tradition, thus the violence can only be due to militant political motivations. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. We also deplore the sad creation of the profane video posted on the internet, replete with fabrications designed solely to insult Muslims, as an abuse of our cherished right to free speech; such abuses do not honor great American traditions and civility.
Azmat Qayyum – Chapter President
IMPRESSIONS AND STATEMENTS OBTAINED FROM LEADERSHIP OF PITTSBURGH AREA MUSLIM CONGREGATIONS.
ISLAMIC CENTER OF PITTSBURGH (ICP).
Assalam Aleikum (may peace be upon you) My deepest condolences to the families of our fallen diplomats and officers. And may God bless their families and God bless America.
Imam AbduSemih Tadese.
Director and Outreach Principal, ICP
According to Islamic teachings, representatives of foreign countries, and their belongings should be protected and highly respected. The killings that took place at the U.S. Consulate in Libya and the violence that is unfolding at other U.S. Consulates throughout the Middle East completely contradict these teachings. There is absolutely no justification for this type of behavior. Not only are those responsible committing an injustice against the United States, but they are committing an injustice against their own countrymen who have been working to build a better future for their nation.
Atef Mahgoub
Religious Director of ICP
MUSLIM WOMENS ASSOCIATION OF PITTSBURGH (MWAP)
We’re appalled at the senseless murder. Violence is the worst response to inflammatory insults. It overshadows all the good teachings of our religion.
Sarah Jameela Martin, Past president of MWAP.
MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH (MCCGP)
MCCGP categorically condemns the killing of American diplomats and violence on the embassies in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. There is absolutely no justification for these actions. This behavior is contrary to the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Sameer Balagamwala – President – MCCGP
MUSLIM AMERICAN SOCIETY (MAS)
Our condolences go to the families of the victims of this violent attack, and we hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice soon.
Killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three other Americans in a mob attack in Benghazi has no place in the tradition of Islam. This is an action perpetrated by the people who are ignorant of their own faith. Their action is cowardly and contradicts the teachings of Islam.
The best way of honoring our prophet (peace be upon him) is to practice his tradition, which in this matter is to honor foreign envoys and missions as sacred guests.
Kadir Gündüz, Director, MAS Pittsburgh
MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH (MAP)
The MAP unequivocally condemns the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Mr. Christopher Stevens and his staff, and the attack on US Embassy in Cairo. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. As our Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned, the act has been committed by a group of savage people who did it independently without support from the Muslims, Libyan people, or the government. We also strongly condemn the video that apparently spurred these incidents. While we defend the right of free speech in the American society, these messages on the social media are crafted to offend and evoke outrage in the religious communities, and can be exploited for political motives. The Prophet (peace be upon him ) is loved by over a billion Muslims across the world and no one can take this affection from our hearts.
Usman Chaudhry, MAP
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CORRECTIONS
We mourn the lives of our distinguished servicemen no less than we would if they were our own immediate relatives. The movie “the innocence of Muslims”, an ignorant mockery of Muslim’s sacred values, is no laughing matter; we see extraordinary attention and condemnation when opinions considered racist or anti-Semitic are voiced in public. This anti-Islam propaganda has put the peace and security of Americans overseas in peril. The provocateur that used this defamatory propaganda should be held responsible for the harm caused to the national interests of the United States.
Jibril Abdul-Hafith, Imam, Allegheny County Jail
