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Local Muslim Leader Addresses Attacks on America The following is the text of a speech given Prof. S.M. Abu Taher Rizvi, imam (spiritual leader) of the North Bronx Islamic Center in Norwood, at a recent community forum addressing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the war in Afghanistan. Thank you all for giving me a chance to address the issues arising out of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. No religion can approve of such an attack, destroying the life and property of innocent people. Words fail to express my feelings of pain at this saddest of great human tragedies. Our hearts bleed for the attack on the World Trade Center. Muslims hold the human soul in high esteem and consider the attack on innocent human beings a grave sin. Killing thousands of people having nothing to do with the decision-making process is a heinous crime in Islam. If such attacks were carried out by a Muslim, then we, in the name of our religion, condemn the act and support the utmost punishment to the aggressor irrespective of his race or religion. Both Christianity and Islam exhort men to virtuous deeds and a pious life. They condemn selfishness falsehood, greed, dishonesty, hypocrisy, injustice, cruelty, malice, vindictiveness, treachery, pride and vanity, arrogance, callousness, hurtful speech and violence. Both enjoin upon their follower's faith and trust in God, respect, truth, purity, moral courage, justice, charity, sympathy, compassion, and self-control. Regarding peace, Christianity says: "Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew V-5; "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called real children of God." Matthew V-9; "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Exodus XX 16; "Peter said unto him 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him, till seven times?' Jesus saith unto him, 'I say not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.'" Matthew XVIII; "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. If any man will sue at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." Matthew V-39 Regarding the above, Islam says: "If any one slew a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people, and if one saved a whole life, it would be as if he saved the life of a whole people." The Quran Ch. 5, v. 35; "And the true servants of the beneficent God are they who walk on the earth in humility and when they are addressed by the ignorant they say 'peace.'" (xxv-63) From the "Sayings of Mohammed": A real Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand people are safe ... Shall I inform you of what is better than fasting, alms giving and prayer: Making peace with one another. Enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots ... All God's creation are his family and he is the most beloved of God who tries to do greatest good to His creation ... Most excellent works are - to gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful and to remove the wrongs of the injured." Indeed, the events of Sept. 11 have shaken the foundation of American society and also threaten the safety, security and citizenship of American Muslims who have invested their lives, blood, sweat and tears in this land. These attacks are not only deadly but they drove a deadly sword in the heart of Muslim America. Not only are American Muslims caught in the fear created by the terrorists but they are also suffering from the wedge that the terrorists drove between American Muslims and the larger society. American Muslims, despite their countries of origin, owe it to their country and their people to stand firmly with other Americans in this moment of great threat to our values, to our way of life, to our political and economic stability. Muslims should seize their opportunity to educate fellow Americans that their religion, which is cited as the source of inspiration by the perpetrators of this cowardly act, does not condone such an indiscriminate and ruthless act at all. We, the American Muslims in the spirit of American solidarity, are ready to give full support to President Bush in his hunt for the actual culprits and do everything possible to help law enforcement agencies in their legal efforts for the eventual prosecution of the criminals. Policymakers and the general public should pay close attention to the root causes of why some people hate our country and take great risks to try to destroy American political and economic structures. We urge public leaders to commission a panel to study and report on the historical, psychological, political and cultural factors responsible for this state of mind in certain parts of the world. It is time to prove that we are truly American Muslims who genuinely care about the well-being of this great nation. We share the sense of grief and loss resulting from the terrorist attacks and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and injured. Members of our community are taking part in the recovery effort, volunteering medical expertise, donating funds to relief organizations and providing blood to those in need. Despite these things, they are apprehensive about the reality of harassment and attacks stemming from anti-Muslim hysteria and prejudices. Muslim women are forced to remain within the home because of widespread reports of harassment against those who wear Islamic attire. Muslim children and students are facing abuse and mental torture by their classmates and teachers and as a result they have stopped attending classes. Islamic institutions receive threatening calls and email messages. There are even instances of physical attack on Muslim individuals and of businessmen who have to close down their shops. As Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Americans in this time of crisis, it is incumbent upon our elected representatives to rise above the emotionalism and to set a tone of tolerance in handling these affairs. Media outlets are requested not to point any finger at any segment of society, especially the Muslim and Arab communities. We should have learned from the Oklahoma tragedy not to rush to judgment and let the investigation take its course. Time is a great healer. With the passage of time, anti-Muslim feelings are dying down. Our neighborhood is safer. Initially, a few incidents of stone-throwing and harassment took place. I am really thankful to our police administration. But for its prompt action, the situation could have worsened further. I have special thanks to offer to Community Affairs Officer Jimmy Livingston, who has created a great fear and panic in the minds of stone-throwers, and also to the members of the neighborhood for their repeated calls offering their services to ensure our safety and security. America, we Muslims feel your pain. Let that of ours be felt by you. May Allah bless America.
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