(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 7/7/05) – A prominent national Islamic civil rights
and advocacy group today condemned this morning’s bomb attacks in London as
"barbaric crimes" that can never be justified.
In its statement, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) said:
"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide,
in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused.
American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those
who were killed or injured in todayÅfs attacks and call for the swift
apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."
The Muslim Council of Britain and other British Islamic groups issued similar
condemnations of the attacks and urged Muslims to help in the recovery effort.
In 2004, CAIR launched an online petition drive, called "Not in the Name
of Islam," designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few
Muslims. (see: http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=8761&&name=n&&currPage=1
The "Not in the Name of Islam" petition states: "We, the undersigned
Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder
and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but
are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice
done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act
of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves
from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts.
We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a
tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him."
– END –
