In the Name of God, The Compassionate, The Merciful
All Dulles Area Muslim Society
46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling VA 20164
www.adamscenter.org
http://www.adamscenter.org/pressreleases/3--21--2012__Press__Release
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) condemns and rejects the violent terrorist actions that killed 4 French Jewish civilians, 2 French soldiers of the Muslim Faith, and 1 French soldier of Catholic Faith. Islam holds that the taking of a single life is the equivalent of the killing of all humanity. Nothing can ever justify terrorism and murder.
These acts are in total contradiction with the foundations of this religion,” said
Mohammed Moussaoui, President of the French Council of Muslim Faith. “France’s Muslims are offended by this claim of belonging to this religion.”
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish, Muslim, and Catholic communities of the United States and the world in condemning a senseless act of terror that has cost several lives. Our hearts and prayers go out to Rabbi Jonathan Sandler and his sons Gabriel and Arieh, and Miriam Monsenego (daughter of Rabbi Yaacov Monsenego). We join their families and loved ones in
mourning their tragic loss.
This was the third fatal attack on members of minority groups in the south of France in a span of eight days. French President Nicolas Sarkozy had mentioned his concerns and grief over these killings and those of the French soldiers, including two who were Muslim and one was Catholich, in two attacks last week. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Jewish, Muslim and Catholic victims, and their families and loved ones, in mourning their tragic loss.
This loss is therefore not just for the Jewish, Muslim, & Catholic community of France, but for people of all faiths worldwide who believe in peace, justice and compassion. We extend our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy to our Jewish, Muslim andCatholic brothers and sisters in their shock and loss. We offer our fullest support, and our prayers for patience and healing from this horrific act. “To God do we belong, and to God shall we all return”.
We appreciate that police and law enforcement in New York, Washington and San Francisco plan to increase patrols of Synagogues and Jewish institutions. We are heartened that these officials stressed there is no "specific" intelligence indicating an active threat there. ADAMS encourages Law Enforcement Agencies everywhere to continue to protect all people who could be victims of hate crimes.
We must all stand up against terrorism, extremism, bigotry, racism, and hate. We hope the perpetrator of this insane acts will be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice under the full extent of French law, and for the Government of France to do everything possible to protect all communities and uphold pluralism in their country. No act of terror should be permitted to affect the ability of all children to go to school in a safe environment, or to divide any faith communities from the nations in which they have chosen to live as peaceful and productive citizens.
For many years, ADAMS has held prayer services and other activities in space we share with two local Synagogues, as well as in several Christian Churches. We have participated in (and hosted) interfaith Seders as well as Iftars, attended Shabbat services, have sent official Delegations to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, and have invited Holocaust survivors to speak at our center. ADAMS Executive Director, Imam Mohammed Magid has repeatedly and publicly denounced Anti-Semitism and the denial of the Holocaust, and was one of several Muslim Clerics recently invited to participate in an Interfaith and US Government Delegation that visited Auschwitz.
This very sad occasion should remind us that we all came to America to live in a society that welcomed all religious groups with open hearts and open doors, and that our Faith traditions require us to seek peace and harmony with neighbors of every faith. This was a founding principle of ADAMS, and indeed of America itself.
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society(ADAMS) is one of the largest Muslim communities/mosques in the DC Metro Area and in the United States. ADAMS is a non-profit 501c(3) Organization, and serves over 6000 families and has 9 branches in Virginia/DC - (Sterling/Herndon, Tysons Corner, Fairfax, Reston, Ashburn/Leesburg, South Riding, Greater Gainesville, Crystal City, and Washington DC).ADAMS Center is governed by a 13-member democratically elected board of trustees comprising of men and women. ADAMS engages in regular interfaith, government relations, social services, and community service. ADAMS has one of the largest Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout programs in the DC Metro area.
PEACE
