Joint Statement by Major US Muslim Organizations

Joint Statement by Major Muslim Organizations Regarding the War on Afghanistan

Wednesday, October 24

We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the crime committed on September 11, 2001 and join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of up to 6000 innocent civilians.

We reiterate our support for bringing to justice those who are responsible for planning, executing or knowingly helping to carry out this crime. In so doing, we believe those all-legal provisions, and procedures of law, national and international, must be adhered to.

We believe the bombing in Afghanistan is not in the long-term interest of our country or the world at large. The bombing victimizes the innocents, exacerbates the humanitarian disaster, and creates widespread resentment across the Muslim world. Allowing thousands of innocent civilians to die in the harsh Afghan winter will only serve to weaken the global resolve to root out terrorism. The senseless starvation of women and children will fuel hate and extremism.

We call on our government to urgently re-assess its action in Afghanistan, and to cease the bombing campaign and other military actions. Our government should seek a more effective and long-term strategy to deal with terrorism and its causes, whether such violence is committed by individuals, groups or states. We feel that international disputes should be resolved through UN mechanisms and in accordance with its charter.

As American Muslims, we stand ready to help our government in building bridges of understanding with Muslim countries, and assist in removing root causes of misunderstanding, grievances and conflict. We also express our opposition to the extension of bombing to other countries. Such attacks will aggravate an already explosive and destabilizing situation.

As Americans, we believe that it is not only our right but also our civic duty and responsibility to express our sincere views of what is in the long-term interest of our country. We strongly reject any suggestion that opposing a certain policy of our government is tantamount to disloyalty. This suggestion is undemocratic, unfair and
un-American.

Finally, we express our concern about the possibility of unconstitutional measures in new anti-terrorism legislation, which may curtail civil liberties in the name of security. Such measures are unlikely to make Americans safer and may be applied in a discriminatory manner against American citizens and lawful residents from specific ethnic and religious groups.

We pray to the universal God of all to bestow His mercy, healing and peace on all humanity."

Signed:

Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Muslim Student Association (MSA), Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), United Association for Studies and Research (UASR), Solidarity International, American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), United Muslim Americans Association (UMAA), Islamic Media Foundation (IMF), American Muslim Foundation (AMF), Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO), American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ), Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA)

~ Global Peace Campaign ~

Daily Attunement for Peace
at 8.45am New York time.
Seed thought: "May Peace Prevail on Earth"

© Scoop Media