Thursday, August 18, 2005

Muslims respond to London bombings

(Note: Originally posted on 7 July 2005 to Blogcritics.org. Yes, I'm a little behind in my efforts to keep this blog synchronized.)

News of the bombings in London swiftly spurred ignorant and prejudiced responses from some people in the Western world, even as most retain their humane and intelligent sentiments despite the terrorists' efforts to goad us all into blind hate and fear.

A few uninformed people still claim, incredibly, that they have not seen any Islamic leaders condemn such attacks. Therefore, they claim, all Muslims somehow support the terrorists, and share the blame for the depraved actions of a few. Here are some facts for the benefit of people who have not yet surrendered all their brain cells to ignorant hatred.

Reuters reports UK Muslim leaders call for prayers for bomb victims.

BBC News informs us Muslim leaders join condemnation of the attacks.

As London's own Financial Times explains, far from enjoying any broad popular support in the Islamic community, Fanatics realise worst fears of Muslims.

In one of many statements that give the lie to any claims of Muslim complicit silence, the Financial Times quotes a prominent Muslim leader.

Iqbal Sacranie, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, which has emerged as the main body representing Muslims, said: "We utterly condemn the perpetrators of these co-ordinated attacks in London. We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims and our prayers are with them."


Closer to the heartland of the Islamic world, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper patiently explains Why the bombings in London are not the work of 'Islamic' terrorists.

In the very birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia's Arab News quotes several Muslims, including ordinary businessmen and students along with Islamic community leaders, who no more support the terrorists than the British citizens living in Saudi Arabia do. Citizens, Expats Condemn London Blasts. In its editorial stance, the same newspaper eloquently states:

Their bombs destroy not only innocent lives but any possible claim they have to be taken as anything other than bloodstained criminals.


In this brief survey, let's not forget the famous Arab news source Al-Jazeera, where we learn Muslim leaders condemn bloody attacks on London, and in a related story, that Muslim scholars ban killings in name of Islam.

If these sources are not enough to convince, find out for yourself. Take the time to meet some of the real Muslims who live near you. Most people in North America and Europe now live close by moderate and peace-loving Muslims who want to see terrorism defeated just as badly as their neighbors who are Christian, Jewish, of any other faith, or of no faith at all.

There is no longer any excuse for continuing to live in ignorance, especially now when it can only fuel the destructive fires of hatred and fear.