This statement appeared today in The San Jose Mercury News. A similar version appeared earlier in the San Francisco Chronicle. We support our Muslim brothers and sisters and their efforts to be heard.
There has been a rash of terror attacks most recently in Paris and San Bernardino. Several of these attacks have been carried out by people acting seemingly in the name of our faith, Islam.
As American Muslims we condemn these attacks. The killing of innocent people is abhorrent, barbaric and an affront to our faith. No cause justifies violence and terrorism against innocent civilians.
We strongly condemn ISIS and all of their claims. Most importantly, we completely reject their assertion that they are carrying out a holy war sanctioned by our holy book, the Quran. Despite claiming to act in the name of our faith, they do not represent us, nor do they speak for us. These terrorists do not represent the views of the overwhelming majority of the 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, more than a fifth of the world’s population.
American Muslims are part of the fabric of this country.We contribute to our society in a variety of ways as accountants, architects, doctors, economists, engineers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, nurses, students and teachers.We run businesses and we serve in the armed forces, the National Guard and the police.We are your neighbors, coworkers and friends in this great land of ours.We cherish the freedoms and liberties that are enshrined in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We dearly love our country and do everything in our power to make it strong and keep it safe.
Sponsored by:
Council of American Islamic Relations, Bay Area chapter (CAIR), Islamic Center of Zahra, Pleasanton (ICZ), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Network Group, San Jose (ING), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara (MCA), Muslim Community Center Eastbay, Pleasanton (MCC Eastbay), SABA Islamic Center, San Jose, San Ramon Valley Islamic Center (SRVIC), Shura Council of Southern California, South Bay Islamic Association, San Jose (SBIA), United Muslims of America-Interfaith Alliance, South San Francisco