A Muslim Response to the Paris Attacks







I can't count the number of times people have said to me, in the aftermath of an attack by Muslim extremists, "Where is the moderate Muslim response?  If most Muslims are against these acts, why don't they say anything?"  And I always say that they ARE responding--they DO stand up and speak out--but the fact that their voices are not heard is less a reflection on the views of the global Muslim community as a whole and more a reflection on what mainstream media chooses to cover, and how most people simply don't know how to find those responses.  "They're out there," I say, "You just have to know where to look."

Well, today, you don't have to look far, because I am cutting and pasting into my blog the response from Imam Talib Shareef, leader of The Nation’s Mosque, the oldest Muslim community in Washington DC.  Please read it and share it.  Don't be fooled by the voices who say that all Muslims are terrorists, that Islam preaches violence.  They aren't, and it doesn't.  Spread the word!  [PS:  Here's their website--Masjid Muhammad. You can sign up to get news from them.]

            Leader of the Nation’s Mosque Condemns Terrorist Attack in Paris

Imam Talib Shareef, leader of The Nation’s Mosque, Masjid Muhammad, the oldest Muslim community located in the capital of America dating back to the mid 1930s, released the following statement in response to the recent attacks in Paris.

We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the people of France and the families of those murdered, and we stand with the world in strongly condemning the criminal, barbaric, cowardly terrorists attack. This attack which left twelve people dead and several wounded to include two policemen and eight journalists is an attack on all of humanity and freedom of speech globally.
We certainly thank, our Secretary of State John Kerry for immediately quoting an Imam in France who without hesitation condemned the attacks and honored the victims. It doesn’t matter who the attackers are or what they claim, their actions are criminal, inhumane, and not condoned by Islam, Christianity, Judaism or any of the other beautiful faith communities. Any person, no matter how desperate their situation, no matter how much their hearts are paining because of wrong that has been done to them, whether real or perceived, there is no justification for them to murder and make helpless, vulnerable, or innocent humans the target of their terror, the target of their hate or their violence. We must understand that everybody who picks up a gun and says "I'm going to defend my religious cause" is not necessarily an authority in the religion he or she claims.
While the facts reveal that the magazine company had been threatened and attacked in the past because of its derogatory references to Islam and its inaccurate depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, the actions of those identifying themselves as Muslims gravely misrepresent the beautiful religion of Islam. When Prophet Muhammad was attacked personally with physical harshness, he didn’t respond in any way close to how the attackers responded, rather he resisted and responded with prayers, kindness, mercy and forgiveness.
We urge radicals to stop inciting and carrying out hate and violence and instead work for peace, the betterment of humanity, and a better world. The enormous value and sacredness that God puts on human life should be caution enough to prevent these senseless acts of violence and killings.

It’s encouraging to see that the majority of Muslims all throughout this world are now standing up on the principle of Islam, the principle of peace, mercy, intelligent behavior, the conduct established for Muslims in the Qur'an and the life example of the prophet, and are letting the world hear us condemning those who are guilty. We have a responsibility to exhibit the best of our human and religious identity, by following the examples of Prophets Muhammad, Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ, etc, peace be upon all of them.