|
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) deplores and wholly condemns the execution style killing of Imam Maulama Akonjee and his associate Thara Uddin in Queens, NY on August 13. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Imam and Mr. Uddin, their families, and all community members of Ozone Park in this difficult time. ADAMS calls on the NYPD and FBI to identify and track down this perpetrator and ascertain his motive, to determine whether this was a hate crime or other heinous reason. In any case, this horrific crime must be dealt with swiftly. The perpetrator must be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
ADAMS also condemns the unwarranted fear and irrationality that can result from the hate rhetoric and stereotyping of Muslims by individuals and groups in the USA and worldwide. We fear there may be a direct causal link from that which can inevitably lead to hate threats, and may encourage such hate crimes.
In recent months a Muslim doctor was shot and stabbed outside a Texas mosque, two Muslim men were shot on their way to a Minneapolis mosque, two teenage Muslims boys were viciously beaten outside a Brooklyn mosque, and another Muslim man was beaten in Orlando. In 2015, 78 Mosques were attacked in the USA and nearly a dozen Muslims killed in Hate Crimes or for undetermined but apparently motiveless reason.
No Americans should live in fear of such mindless brutality. This must cease.
American Muslims not only contribute to society in their daily lives, but are also partners in national security and consistently work with law enforcement against all violent extremism. We appreciate the many Interfaith groups and people of goodwill who join to denounce all bigotry and hate. We pray that all Americans will accept the need to counter any violent extremism.
As a community we respond as our faith has taught us, by answering bad with good. God tells us in the Holy Quran, “Not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.” (41:34).”
God’s message is related in every faith’s teachings. We therefore pray for anyone affected by this violence, and that the perpetrators of these horrific attacks will repent and cease such despicable activity.
|