-—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—-
(Washington, DC, April 19, 2015) — The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) the largest umbrella group of mainstream Muslim American organizations is aware of the painful history of over 30 nations fighting for over 4 years and the loss of over 37 million lives in World War I, including those of the Armenians.
As April 24 comes near, we share the pain suffered by Armenians during this period. We also believe that any acknowledgment by religious or political leaders of the tragedy that befell Armenians should be balanced, constructive and must also recognize Turkish and Muslim suffering.
In this respect, characterizing the events of 1915 as genocide without proper investigation of these events by independent historians will not only jeopardize the establishment of a just memory pertaining to these events, but will also damage the efforts aimed at achieving reconciliation between Turks and Armenians.
As Americans, we are concerned about alienating a key ally, Turkey, through one-sided declarations that political and religious leaders have made on this subject. The events of 100 years ago should be based on a consensus among historians and academicians with access to archives and documents from that era.
As the only Muslim-majority member of NATO and current President of the G-20 Summit, Turkey has taken on a unique regional and global leadership role in ensuring peace and prosperity for all. Our government has been closely cooperating with the Turkish government on defeating ISIS while also alleviating the suffering of Syrian refugees.
While Muslim Americans sympathize deeply with the loss of Armenian lives in 1915, we also believe that reconciliation must take into honest account the broader human tragedy of World War I. Muslim Americans expect our leaders to act accordingly to ensure that American-Turkish strategic relations are not damaged by a one-sided interpretation of the 1915 events.
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Founding members of USCMO: American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed).
Media Contact:
Oussama Jammal
Secretary General
202-683-6557
708-288-1914
ojammal@uscmo.org
USCMO Statement on 1915 Turkish-Armenian Events
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Well this is just horrible. Everybody who signed onto this statement should be ashamed of themselves for partaking in the horrible thing that is genocide denial in order to keep from “alienating a key ally.” When did the truth become a game of geopolitics?
“Stand firm against injustice even if it be against yourself.”
–The Holy Quran: 4:135
Well this is just horrible. Everybody who signed onto this statement should be ashamed of themselves for partaking in the horrible thing that is genocide denial in order to keep from “alienating a key ally.” When did the truth become a game of geopolitics?
“Stand firm against injustice even if it be against yourself.”
–The Holy Quran: 4:135
As a Syrian-American Muslim, I find this to be absolutely reprehensible. Asking us to stand with the oppressors and “recognize their suffering” simply because they happen to be Muslim is absolutely disgusting and a betrayal of our faith. This statement mimics Zionist and pro-Israeli narratives, just replace the words Armenian and Turkish with Palestinian and Israeli. In Islam we are instructed to fight for justice no matter who commits it and who it is committed against. Would ICNA have released such a statement if a Kemalist government was still in power in Turkey? Or do we like to rewrite history when regimes we identify with religiously get into power? What a horrible abuse and betrayal of Islamic values and principles. ICNA you have lost my family and I as supporters.
As a Syrian-American myself, I thank you for your statement.
As a Syrian-American Muslim, I find this to be absolutely reprehensible. Asking us to stand with the oppressors and “recognize their suffering” simply because they happen to be Muslim is absolutely disgusting and a betrayal of our faith. This statement mimics Zionist and pro-Israeli narratives, just replace the words Armenian and Turkish with Palestinian and Israeli. In Islam we are instructed to fight for justice no matter who commits it and who it is committed against. Would ICNA have released such a statement if a Kemalist government was still in power in Turkey? Or do we like to rewrite history when regimes we identify with religiously get into power? What a horrible abuse and betrayal of Islamic values and principles. ICNA you have lost my family and I as supporters.
A Century After Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s Denial Only Deepens
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/world/europe/turkeys-century-of-denial-about-an-armenian-genocide.html?ref=world&_r=0
A Century After Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s Denial Only Deepens
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/world/europe/turkeys-century-of-denial-about-an-armenian-genocide.html?ref=world&_r=0
This is honestly ridiculous. I am ashamed that the largest Muslim organizations would come together and issue a statement of genocidal denial. I am ashamed to face Armenians when groups like you who are supposed to represent Islam try to erase history and hide the crimes against humanity that Turkey has committed. And for what? For the sake of relations. “As Americans we are concerned about alienating a key ally, Turkey, through one-sided declarations that political and religious leaders have made on this subject.” Whoever wrote this article needs to stop darting around and clearly say what they mean: “Turkey is an important ally to America right now so we don’t want to upset them by saying the committed genocide years ago!” Shameful. We Muslims are supposed to stand up against injustice and oppression everywhere. Shame on ICNA and and all other organizations who co-signed this genocide-apologist letter.
This is honestly ridiculous. I am ashamed that the largest Muslim organizations would come together and issue a statement of genocidal denial. I am ashamed to face Armenians when groups like you who are supposed to represent Islam try to erase history and hide the crimes against humanity that Turkey has committed. And for what? For the sake of relations. “As Americans we are concerned about alienating a key ally, Turkey, through one-sided declarations that political and religious leaders have made on this subject.” Whoever wrote this article needs to stop darting around and clearly say what they mean: “Turkey is an important ally to America right now so we don’t want to upset them by saying the committed genocide years ago!” Shameful. We Muslims are supposed to stand up against injustice and oppression everywhere. Shame on ICNA and and all other organizations who co-signed this genocide-apologist letter.
It is shameful for these orgs to deny genocide. I am shocked by its content. As a Muslim American, you don’t represent me.
It is shameful for these orgs to deny genocide. I am shocked by its content. As a Muslim American, you don’t represent me.
Turkey should apologize for the killing of innocent Armenians. there is no shame in apologizing and accepting responsibility. At the same time France should accept responsibility for killing of 1 M+ Algerians and we (USA) should accept responsibility for the ethnic cleansing of millions of native Americans. Accepting responsibility is cathartic and actually very good for our collective national souls.
Turkey should apologize for the killing of innocent Armenians. there is no shame in apologizing and accepting responsibility. At the same time France should accept responsibility for killing of 1 M+ Algerians and we (USA) should accept responsibility for the ethnic cleansing of millions of native Americans. Accepting responsibility is cathartic and actually very good for our collective national souls.
I humbly ask that this statement is retracted. It does not represent my opinion of the Armenian Genocide. And I highly doubt that it reflects the views of the majority of Muslim-Americans this organization claims to represent.
I humbly ask that this statement is retracted. It does not represent my opinion of the Armenian Genocide. And I highly doubt that it reflects the views of the majority of Muslim-Americans this organization claims to represent.
This is outrageous. Many scholars and historians already recognize this as genocide. I don’t care what Turkey stands for right now. What happened happened, and you call it by what it was- genocide. How is this any different than what the Israeli government is saying about Palestine? As a Muslim American, I strongly condemn this statement and am disgusted with the organizations who stand by this. Shame on all of you.
This is outrageous. Many scholars and historians already recognize this as genocide. I don’t care what Turkey stands for right now. What happened happened, and you call it by what it was- genocide. How is this any different than what the Israeli government is saying about Palestine? As a Muslim American, I strongly condemn this statement and am disgusted with the organizations who stand by this. Shame on all of you.
This is outrageous. There are many historians and scholars who have recognized this as a genocide. I don’t care what Turkey stands for right now. What happened happened, so you call it by what it was- genocide! How is this any different than what the Israeli government is saying about Palestine? As an American Muslim, I strongly condemn this statement and am disgusted with the organizations who support this. One must always stand for justice even if the oppressor is your own brother. Shame on all of you.
This is outrageous. There are many historians and scholars who have recognized this as a genocide. I don’t care what Turkey stands for right now. What happened happened, so you call it by what it was- genocide! How is this any different than what the Israeli government is saying about Palestine? As an American Muslim, I strongly condemn this statement and am disgusted with the organizations who support this. One must always stand for justice even if the oppressor is your own brother. Shame on all of you.
This statement doesn’t represent me, or represent many of the American Muslims who believe in the Armenian Genocide. Denial of the jewish Holocaust or the Armenian Genocide does not serve the interests of the American Muslims in this country, instead I would rather have seen a similar statement in regard to the current Syrian genocide.
This statement doesn’t represent me, or represent many of the American Muslims who believe in the Armenian Genocide. Denial of the jewish Holocaust or the Armenian Genocide does not serve the interests of the American Muslims in this country, instead I would rather have seen a similar statement in regard to the current Syrian genocide.
shame on you. moslems in America just lost my support.
shame on you. moslems in America just lost my support.
Is there any possibility ICNA could reverse its position on genocide denial for the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this coming April 24, 2016? I say better late than never, and it looks to me that many in your organization were very unhappy with the position taken in 2015. There would be very little down side to openly recognizing the Armenian Genocide, and it would greatly enhance your organization’s credibility and integrity. If you can’t do the right thing, at least do the smart thing.
Is there any possibility ICNA could reverse its position on genocide denial for the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this coming April 24, 2016? I say better late than never, and it looks to me that many in your organization were very unhappy with the position taken in 2015. There would be very little down side to openly recognizing the Armenian Genocide, and it would greatly enhance your organization’s credibility and integrity. If you can’t do the right thing, at least do the smart thing.