top of page

PUBLIC STATEMENTS

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of God, the all Compassionate, the all Merciful

أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

“Whoever killed a human being, except as a punishment for murder or other wicked crimes, should be looked upon as though he killed all mankind; and that whoever saved a human life should be regarded as though he has saved all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32)

Ithna-asheri Muslim Association of the Northwest (IMAN) unequivocally condemns all acts of terror and violence against innocent civilians, committed by anyone, anywhere. Our condemnation and denouncement of the horrific mass killings in many parts of the world, including Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, and most recently here in our country, USA cannot possibly express the pain and anguish of all upstanding citizens of the world.

It is especially painful and shocking for our community when perpetrators of such heinous crimes claim to be Muslims.  As we share our grief at these tragic moments, it becomes all the more important to distinguish between a people who are guided by a faith, in common with all the other great faiths, which exhort mankind to perform righteous acts and respect the sanctity of human life, and those who are misguided by a deviant dogma of death and destruction. This face of terror is neither the face nor the faith of Islam.

We stand united with our fellow American citizens in these tragic times and pray that power of faith in common humanity and compassion prevail over fear and suspicion that has given rise to Islamophobia in parts of our country. 

 

We call upon religious and political leaders of the world to stand in solidarity with all innocent victims and collaborate to develop a positive vision of the future based on peace, social justice, human rights and inclusive government. In particular, we urge the religious leaders of the Muslim world to denounce and refrain from all teachings of extremism and divisiveness, and instead promote the message of tolerance and peace that the Holy Qur’an so beautifully teaches.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other [not that ye may despise (each other)]. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most God-conscious and socially responsible. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Qur’an 49:13)

وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ

“Good and evil cannot be equal. [Prophet], repel evil with what is better and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend!” (Qur’an 41:34)

bottom of page