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Muslim groups condemn Chattanooga killings

Posted on July 17, 2015July 17, 2015 By rayhanania No Comments on Muslim groups condemn Chattanooga killings
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Although many Americans and extremists like Pamela Geller have demanded that Muslims apologize for the violence and murder of U.S. Muslims in Chattanooga, they must not be well read. Nearly every major Muslim organization in America has denounced the killings from groups in Chattanooga to Muslim and Arab organizations around the country

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall (1976-1992)
Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall (1976-1992)

Many Americans have asserted that they have not heard Muslims and Arabs denounce the violence by individuals who claim to be Muslim or representing Islam.

But the truth is that nearly every major Muslim and Arab organization has issued a condemnation of the violence by Kuwaiti Muslim from Jordan, Mohammed Youssuf Abdulazeez.

Many see this kind of violence as an “opportunity” to score political points, to rally their followers using fear mongering and emotions and anger to strengthen their voice for their often racist and hate-driven agendas.

Not one major Muslim or Arab group has praised the killings of the four U.S. Marines, in part because these organizations consist of Americans who happen to be Muslim and many Arab. Additionally, many Arabs and Muslims have served with honor and distinction in the U.S. Military,a s I have done, and the idea of targeting uniformed soldiers engaged in training or recruiting and not on a battlefield is abhorrent.

Downtown of Chattanooga, Tennessee
Downtown of Chattanooga, Tennessee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A major part of the problem is that the mainstream news media, especially the conservative rightwing media, like FOX News, ignores the protests and expressions of Muslims and Arabs, and twist statements to distort the intent of these groups. And so-called “liberal” media in fact ignore the Arab voices because of their inherent bias towards protecting Israel and demonizing any Arab group that criticizes Israel.

The atrocities committed by Abdulazeez play into their hands.

Here are some of the statements that have been released and continue to be released, that anyone could find if they just looked:

USCMO condemns killings in Chattanooga, offers condolences to victims’ families

(Washington, D.C., 7/17/2015) – The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local Muslim organizations, strongly condemns the tragic shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee yesterday which left four Marines dead in an attack on a military recruiting center and another US military site. USCMO offers its sincere condolences to the victims’ families and urges law enforcement to fully investigate these crimes.

“We are deeply saddened by this horrific incident and our hearts go out to the families of the victims. These types of senseless acts of violence are condemned and unequivocally rejected” said Oussama Jammal, the secretary general of USCMO.

The USCMO encourages all communities to continue working towards creating a safer and more peaceful nation.

Statement from the American Humans Rights Council in Detroit:

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) condemns the terrorist and criminal attack in Chattanooga, Tennessee killing four Marines and injuring three other people yesterday, Thursday July 16, 2015. This violent attack reminds us that the threat facing the U.S and the world is indeed real. Taking a human life is the worst human right violation.

Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go to the families of the victims and the nation. AHRC calls upon the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation regarding the motives behind such unspeakable crime and act of terror.

Indeed it’s another shock and another human tragedy. At a time when Muslims are getting ready to celebrate the Muslim Eid- Festivity, after a month of fasting and prayer, enemies of humanity chose to take lives in a despicable and hateful way.

“We condemn this crime in the strongest terms and urge all to remember that terrorism and criminality have no religion or nationality,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “HATE is our common enemy and it should not be tolerated. We stand united against it” continued Hamad.

American Human Rights Council (AHRC)

13530 Michigan Ave # 332

Dearborn, Michigan 48126/USA

Tel: 313-914-3251 Fax: 313-914-3284

WWW.ahrcusa.org

Condemnation from the American Muslim Advisory Council in Nashville:

“The Tennessee Muslim community unequivocally condemns (the) heinous and senseless attack in Chattanooga, in which four U.S. Marines were murdered and at least three people including one Chattanooga police officer were injured.

“Reports indicate that the shooter has been identified as Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez and it is believed that he was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Kuwait.

“The Tennessee Muslim community wishes to express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. Terrorists seek to divide our society and we pray that all Americans will stand together united against their wanton violence and hatred.

“‘We call on our fellow Tennesseans to focus our attention, effort, and prayers on the families of our murdered serviceman,” said Zulfat Suara, Chair of the American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC). “Let us honor their memories by finding ways to support their families after this tragedy and by doing good deeds like donating to our local blood banks.”

“‘Our community’s leadership has been in constant contact with law enforcement and our government officials and we remain committed to working together, especially now in the aftermath of this terrible event,” said Paul Galloway, Executive Director of AMAC.’”

“In closing, we encourage all American Muslim communities to be in regular contact with their local law enforcement agencies, for the safety and security of their communities and institutions, and of our entire nation.”

Here is the press release from CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations:
Nihad Awad
Nihad Awad (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a deadly attack inTennessee that left four Marines dead. In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“We condemn this horrific attack in the strongest terms possible. Such inexcusable acts of violence must be repudiated by Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. The American Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with our fellow citizens in offering condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured and in rejecting anyone who would harm our nation’s safety and security. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families impacted by this tragedy.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Statement from the Memphis Islamic Center:

“On behalf of Memphis Islamic Center’s leadership and the Muslim community, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific murders in Chattanooga and any acts of violence targeting innocent lives. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and mayhem resulting from this deadly attack. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the victims’ families.

“We again confirm our unequivocal rejection to any type of ideology that can lead to such inexcusable and dreadful act. We remind ourselves and our fellow citizens that the ugly face of terrorism and fanaticism has no religion and represents no one with any human decency or morality. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow American citizens in solidarity and in offering all we can to stand against this deviant and destructive wave of terror.

“Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go to the victims and their families during this testing and difficult time for our entire nation.”

Click here and you can listen to the podcast of the radio show this morning with callers in Detroit denouncing the killings.

newswire info
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rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

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