Muslims Condemn Terrorism

As of July 13, 2005, almost 700,000 Muslims have signed an on-line petition. The “Not in the Name of Islam” petition states: “We, the undersigned Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him."

Muhajabah:This page focuses on condemnations of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is not a complete listing of all condemnations written or spoken by Muslims but is intended to provide a representative sample.

Friedman Wrong About Muslims Again
And the Amman Statement on Ecumenism, by Juan Cole professor of history at University of Michigan

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/7/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned this morning's bomb attacks in London as "barbaric crimes."

In its statement, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said:

"We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."

The Muslim Council of Britain and other British Islamic groups issued similar condemnations of the attacks and urged Muslims to help in the recovery effort.

Qaradawi stressed that these black actions run counter to the teachings of Islam which forbids the killing of civilians.

CAIRO, July 7, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The deadly attacks that rocked London earlier Thursday, July 7, drew condemnation from scholars, officials and even individuals from across the Muslim world.

"We were dumbfounded by the grave news of the London bombings which killed tens and wounded hundreds of innocent people who committed no crime," prominent scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi told IslamOnline.net.

At least 37 people were killed and hundreds others wounded when four blasts ripped through London during rush hour on Thursday.

Qaradawi stressed that these "black actions" run counter to the teachings of Islam which forbids the killing of civilians.

"Even at the time of war when state armies battle face to face, it is not permissible to kill women, children, elders, priests, farmers and merchants; people we nowadays call civilians."

The renowned scholar offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and London Mayor Ken Livingstone, whom Qaradawi praised as "a man of justice who always defends Arab and Muslim causes.

"Those responsible for London attacks are criminals who do not represent Islam or even truly understand (its message)," Tantawi told IOL.

"Those responsible for London attacks are criminals who do not represent Islam or even truly understand (its message)," he told IOL.

Tantawi, who heads the highest seat of learning in the Sunni world, denounced the killing of civilians, including women and children, "without differentiating between combatants and non-combatants."

On the possibility that the attacks were an attempt to press British Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw his troops from occupied Iraq, Tantawi said: "This is illogical and cannot be the motive for killing innocent civilians."

Leading Lebanese Shiite scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah voiced outrage, reported Reuters.

"These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam," he said.

"Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected," said Abu Marzouk, a leading Hamas figure.

The attacks drew rebuke from senior officials in several Muslim countries as well as two leading resistance groups.

In a message to Blair, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad condemned "these detested acts".

Saudi Social Affairs Minister Abdulmohsen Al-Akkas said his country, battling a two-year wave of attacks by Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, knew what London was suffering.

"We understand. Since May 2003 we have been experiencing the horrors of terrorist acts," said Akkas, who was visiting London.

"The use of violence to achieve aims is condemned," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

Egypt's Foreign Trade and Industry Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid said: "It is important to be brave in facing up to the scourge of terrorism."

Morocco said the "heinous attacks" underlined the need for united international action against those who perpetrated them.

The Palestinian and Lebanese resistance groups Hamas and Hezbollah joined the condemnation chorus.

"Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected," Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy chief of Hamas's political bureau, told Reuters in Damascus.

A Hezbollah statement on the blasts denounced attacks on civilians, citing humanitarian, moral and religious grounds.

Muslims interviewed by Reuters in several countries also condemned the London explosions.

"I really hope this is not the doing of an Arab or a Muslim because our values are 100 percent against this devilish crime," said Syrian businessman Majed Ali.

"Those responsible for this have no feelings or humanity," said Hassan Bannona, a 47-year-old Saudi aviation worker.

Yemeni doorman Aref al-Haymi, 28, said the bombings showed criminals were everywhere.

"Everyone must cooperate to end this terrorism instead of accusing only Muslims and Arabs."

Blair said earlier that the perpetrators of the London attacks acted "in the name of Islam".

He stressed, however, that "the vast and overwhelming majority of Muslims here and abroad are decent and law abiding people who abhor terrorism every bit as much as we do."

The Muslim minority in Britain vehemently denounced the blasts and offered all possible assistance in helping the emergency services.