—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
NEW YORK, NY (Nov. 1, 2017) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is shocked and enraged by this latest act of mass violence in Manhattan. ICNA will never stand for violence against innocents, no matter what ideology sustains it.
Our thoughts and solidarity are with those mourning the loss of loved ones and send our wishes for a full recovery to those who were injured.
“We see that violence is never the monopoly of one religion or ideology. It is a tool of the cowards to feel powerful.” said Javaid Siddiqi, President, ICNA.
From Las Vegas to Manhattan, we condemn violence in all its forms in the strongest way possible and hope that the authorities can create long term common sense solutions. We also urge all Americans never to single out an entire group of people because of their faith, the color of their skin, or their country of origin when responding to such violence.
Anyone who is familiar with Islamic teachings knows very well that Islam forbids the killing of innocents in clearest terms and the killers are destined for hell. Allah says, “That was why We prescribed this for the children of Israel: “He who killed any person, unless it be a person guilty of manslaughter, or of spreading chaos in the land, should be looked upon as though he had slain all mankind, and he who saved one life should be regarded as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.” But the majority of them went on committing excesses in the land even after Our Messengers came to them one after the other with clear directions.” [Quran 05:32]
