ISNA Condemns Plots to Attack Synagogues and National Targets

Posted May 21, 2009      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version Bookmark and Share

ISNA Condemns Plots to Attack Synagogues and National Targets


(Plainfield, IN - May 21, 2009) The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is relieved to learn that law enforcement agencies were able to foil a plot to blow up two synagogues in New York, and is appalled that suspects planned to attack places of worship and to commit crimes against national institutions.

“We commend the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for preventing the planned acts of violence by fanatics,” Dr. Ingrid Mattson, ISNA president stressed. “We reject unequivocally such violence or any attempt to undermine public safety and national security. We are repulsed by the hatred directed towards the Jewish community and stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors,” she added.

The FBI and New York police accused four men on Wednesday night of planting explosives in two cars that were parked outside two synagogues, and of planning to use surface-to-air missile to shoot down military planes. The suspects were, reportedly, unaware that the explosives were inert and the stinger was deactivated as the four suspects were led to believe that they were part of real operation by an FBI informant who infiltrated the group and provided the fake weapons.

Several media reports referred to the suspects as Muslim. ISNA rejects the association of Islam with such criminality, hatred and bigotry.

ISNA has been working actively with Muslim leaders to foster inter-communal harmony and to introduce effective measures to counter extremism. Among other interfaith initiatives, ISNA values our ground-breaking partnerships with the American Jewish community to foster mutual respect and understanding.

ISNA held today at 1:00 pm a Press Conference to address this incident in collaboration with the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (CEU). CEU was represented by Rabbi Mark Schneier. The Press Conference was held at the Islamic Culture Center in New York City and Imam Shamsi Ali representing the Center as well as the Muslim community.

SEE ALSO: 

CAIR Applauds FBI for Preventing Attacks on NY Jewish Sites http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=25950&&name=n&&currPage=1&&Active=1

MPAC Outraged Over NYC Synagogue Plots http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=817

New York rabbi, iman denounce violence after bomb plot exposed New York rabbi, iman denounce violence after bomb plot exposed http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1087248.html

Response to the Foiled New York Terror Plot, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/response_to_the_foiled_new_york_terror_plot/0017339

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