A roundup of recent statements on the London bombings.Items from Sheikh Fawzy el Zefzaf, the President of Al Azhar Interfaith Committee, Afif Safieh, the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom, Islamic Circle of North America and Bishop Peter Fox, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Condemnation of London bombings by senior Egyptian Muslim.
Statement from Sheikh Fawzy el Zefzaf, the President of Al Azhar Interfaith Committee
We received with great sadness the news of the terrorist attacks in London this morning. Islam and all other religions denounce such attacks on innocent civilians in any form. We give our full hearted condolences to the families of the victims. We also appeal to all Islamic and non Islamic organisations to cooperate with each other to stand firm against terrorism which is rejected by all religions.
Response from Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom
Afif Safieh, the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom, extends his sincere condolences to Prime Minister Tony Blair and to the Mayor of London Ken Livingston and through them to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday's horrific attacks.
Safieh unequivocally condemns these barbaric and unjustifiable acts whoever the perpetrator and feels confident that British public opinion, which has shown repeatedly adherence to the highest ethical standards, will not allow them to deteriorate inter -community relations. The British Muslims and the British Arab communities are law-abiding communities enjoying increasing recognition of their contribution to British society.
One of the aims of yesterday's terrorist operations was to deteriorate inter -community relations and to try to pre-empt the gradual integration of the Muslim community.
That aim should not be allowed to be achieved.
Afif Safieh Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom
Statement from the Islamic Circle of North America
forwarded by NIFCON's North American staff Assistant
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA Relief) expresses profound grief and horror at the several terror attacks on the people of London during rush hour mass transit. We trust that the authorities will determine the perpetrators and urge the people of England to remain calm and the media to be responsible in this matter. As Muslims we condemn the killing of innocent people for any reason. As citizens we also hope innocent people will not be targeted in backlash following this terror attack. Learning from experience after 9/11, we also express the profound hope that civil liberties will not be a further casualty of this tragic event, in the Great Britain or around the world.
Here in the US, we urge Muslims to remain cautious and in communication while continuing their daily work, to avoid fear and confusion and remain measured in response, and above all, to put our trust in the mercy of Allah all-mighty, which will sustain us during the coming days insha'Allah.
Statement from Bishop Peter Fox, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Statement on Muslim-Christian Relationships after the Recent Bombings in London by Bishop Peter Fox of the Anglican Diocese of Port Moresby.
Muslims are peaceful people. The name of their religion --- Islam --- means Peace. Most Muslim people just want to live their lives peacefully and in righteousness. They are not terrorists. They are not killers.
In places like London, Muslim people live alongside people of other religions and none. Their children go to school alongside children of Christian families, Jewish children and the children of non-believers. They are horrified, as all decent people must be, by the series of terrorist attacks that have taken place in London recently. After all, London is their home too. Were the murderers Muslims? If so, then they were bad Muslims who have offended against Islam and done great harm to their own people.
Inevitably, with each terrorist act, fear and suspicion grow, driving a wedge between ordinary peaceful Muslim people and their non-Muslim neighbours. On the global level, and that includes Papua New Guinea, if we allow what the terrorists have done to poison our relationships with ordinary law-abiding Muslim people then we will have given the murderers what they want. They want us to fight each other. They want democratic societies to be divided and for hatred to grow within them. If they divide us then they will rule us.
Even here in Papua New Guinea, far away from the bombs in London or the fighting in Iraq, we can do something that will work for peace. If we know someone who is a Muslim now is the time for us to speak with them, words of peace and compassion. We can defeat the terrorists by working together with our Muslim friends to build a tolerant and caring World.
As a bishop I want to speak to my Christian brothers and sisters: we know from our own experience that dreadful things are sometimes done by people who call themselves Christians. We remember how so-called Catholics and so-called Protestants in Northern Ireland did terrible things to each other. Real Catholics and Protestants knew that what was being done by them was not Christian. It was deeply offensive to us that such things as the IRA and Unionist bombings were committed by people who said they claimed Jesus Christ as their Lord. "There is nothing Christian about what they are doing," we cried, "whatever these people say."
That is how Muslims feel. "This kind of violence is offensive to Islam," they say, "These terrorists are going against what all good Muslims believe." We Christians should understand that. As Christians we should not condemn other innocent human beings just because their religious beliefs are different from our own. It is time for the great World Religions to work together as never before to bring the men of violence to justice and restore peace for all God's children.
To Muslims here in Papua New Guinea I want to say this: we know these acts of terrorism are not your fault. We know they are not the things you believe in. We grieve with you over the way your faith has been betrayed by these fanatics and their dirty little weapons. Please, let us continue to work for peace together. Sala'am eleikam.
and a Hindu's reply
Thanks for your kind words and proactive approach to the global events. Unfortunately there have been further events in London and Egypt over the past few days that vindicates the truth in your statement ? the terrorists know not and represent not any religion.
Being a Hindu I share your sentiments and fully support your call for healing rather than hatred towards the peaceful Muslims living in PNG. I have lived through a similar traumatic situation in Mumbai in early 1993 when 14 bombs ripped through the heart of Mumbai causing death and destruction to human lives and property. Unfortunately the perpetrators of those bombings were successful in inflaming communal hatred which resulted in over 2000 lives of few religions being lost in the few weeks of racial hatred and tension that followed from those bombings.
Hopefully representatives like yourself will reach out to the wider community in PNG for a peaceful tomorrow.
Other Statements
Faith leaders' statement following terrorist attacks in London can be found at:
http://www.aco.org/acns/articles/40/00/acns4004.cfm
Statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury can be found at:
http://www.aco.org/acns/articles/40/00/acns4001.cfm
Statement from Muslim Council of Great Britain can be found at:
http://www.mcb.org.uk/