VIENNA,
July 8, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Leaders of the Muslim minorities
across Europe have vocalized denunciation of the "barbaric"
London blasts that claimed the lives of many civilians, but cautioned
against associating them with Islam.
"This
heinous attack, which shook the world, runs in the face of all
religious, ethical, and human values and must be condemned in no
uncertain terms," said the Federation of Islamic Organizations in
Europe (FIOE) in a statement posted on its Web site on Thursday, July
7.
At
least 50 people were killed and 700 others were wounded when four
bombs tore through three underground trains and a red double-decker
bus in London during rush hour Thursday.
"Muslims
in Britain as well as across Europe stand shoulder to shoulder with
their respective country-folk in order to achieve the best interests
of European societies and safeguard their respective safety, security
and prosperity," said the statement.
The
FIOE, a non-profitable European organization serving Muslims in
European societies, reiterated rejection of violence and terrorism
"in all shapes, forms and manners".
"Islam
rejects entirely the shedding of innocent people’s blood and
considers this a heinous crime, as clearly stated in the Noble Qur'an
and all Islamic scripts."
Ahmed
Al-Rawi, the FIOE president, has sent cable of condolences to Queen
Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prime Minister Tony Blair and
offered heart-felt condolences to the families of the victims.
The
London attacks had drawn condemnation from scholars, officials and
individuals from across the Muslim as running counter to the teachings
of Islam.
The
Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and the Muslim Association of Britain
(MAB), the two main representatives of the sizable minority, have
vehemently denounced the blasts and offered all possible assistance in
helping the emergency services.
"Barbaric"
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"It is, indeed, in the best interest of Germany and Europe to regard Muslims as partners in combating terrorism in all its forms," Elias said.
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The
Muslim minority in Germany also denounced the "barbaric"
attacks, saying they run counter to the teachings of Islam.
"The
bombings were barbaric acts of terrorism perpetrated to serve certain
political goals," said the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.
"Those
who incite terrorism and violence against innocent civilians cannot be
called Muslims," it added.
Nadim
Elias, the council's head, cautioned against associating the attacks
with Muslims and their faith.
"It
is, indeed, in the best interest of Germany and Europe to regard
Muslims as partners in combating terrorism in all its forms," he
said.
Islamische
Zeitung, a mass-circulation daily
among German Muslims, echoed a similar position.
While
condemning the attacks, its editor-in-chief Sulaiman Wilms stressed
that such attacks should not be described as "Islamic
terrorism".
"A
clear line should be drawn between terrorist operations and devout,
law-abiding Muslims living in Europe."
The
London blasts also drew condemnation from the sizable Muslim minority
in France.
"One
behalf of French Muslims and the French Council for the Muslim
Religion (CFCM), I strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attacks
that rocked London," said Dalil Boubakeur, the CFCM president, in
a statement.
He
stressed that the killing of innocent people has nothing to do with
the merciful teachings of Islam.
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