ADAMS horrified by attacks in Germany, Jordan, Switzerland, and Turkey

The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) is horrified by the events of December 18 and 19, 2016 in Europe and the Middle East. We pray for the families of the deceased and for the recovery of those injured in  Berlin, Germany and in Karak, Jordan, and for the Muslim community and those shot in their local Mosque in Zurich, Switzerland when it was attacked, and finally for the family of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey assassinated in Ankara.
While all these attacks are under investigation as potential terrorism or hate-crimes, they are clearly heinous actions that must be rejected by all. American Muslims, at ADAMS and nationwide, see terrorism, hate crimes, and acts of violence against any civilian of any faith as aggression against humanity, and we firmly reject such craven acts.  As we have repeatedly stated, God has told us in the Holy Quran that nothing can sanction the taking of innocent lives.  Muslims are further commanded by God to follow the fundamental truth that “There shall be no compulsion in religion.”
Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, explicitly forbids the taking of an innocent life as akin to taking the lives of all of humanity.
Nothing can ever justify such evil actions.  However, these criminal actions must not lead to the vilification of any group, or spark additional conflict and violence; demonizing any community for the actions of crazed criminals is itself an injustice.
Our hearts and prayers are with the victims of this and any injustice worldwide.  We ask Almighty God to have mercy on all the victims of this sad action, and all their families, and on every person who suffers from the grief such acts will cause.
Almighty God reminds us to respond to bad with good. In this holiday season of goodwill and peace, let us all remember our Creator’s love and light, and share it with everyone we meet with extra acts of kindness, acknowledgement, and human warmth.  Let us extend comfort to those we encounter who are in distress, and constantly remember God’s infinite love to inspire and strengthen us all in face of these unimaginable tragedies.

Daily Prayers