(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 05/29/2017) — On this Memorial Day, The Philadelphia Chapter of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) condemns in the strongest terms recent acts of horrific violence committed in Manchester and Portland.
Jacob Bender, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia, said, “Whether done in the name of a warped and distorted understanding of Islam, as in England, or as a manifestation of the vile ideology of white supremacy, as in Oregon, there can never be any justification for these evil acts of extremist violence. The Qur’an is explicit in its condemnation of murder: ‘Whoever kills a person [unjustly] … it is as though he has killed all mankind.’” (Qur’an, 5:32)
CAIR-Philadelphia extends its condolences and prayers to the families of Ricky John Best, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and Micah Fletcher in Portland, and to the families of all the those killed and wounded in Manchester. Osama Al-Qasem, President of CAIR-Philadelphia, said, “On this Memorial Day, coming as it does during the sacred month of Ramadan when Muslims are called upon to abstain from even anger, the entire Muslim community is united in their gratitude to the heroes in Portland and deeply mourns their deaths. The outpouring of support for these brave men is representative of the values of justice, peace and mercy that are central to both Islam and American democracy.”
CAIR-Philadelphia calls upon U.S. law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the white supremacy movement across the country.
See also: Muslims Fundraise for Families of the 3 Portland Heroes
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director, 917-660-3805, jbender@cair.com.
