Woolwich, Britain Attack Condemned by Muslims
British Muslims have taken to Twiter to denounce the Woolwich attack and to express their dismay that anyone could claim that such an act of brutality had anything to do with religion. Representatives of many British Muslim organizations have condemned this terrible crime.
The Islamic Society of Britain has issued a statement:
Murdering a British soldier is an attack on our nation. No effort should be spared in purging this hate.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased.
Justifying this killing in the name of faith or religion is false and rejected. Rejected by the Islamic Society of Britain. Rejected by scripture. Rejected by those who commit to God. Rejected by civil society. And rejected by truth.
We, the British, will remain together, resolute and strong. And we will carry on.
The Muslim Council of Britain has released a statement which said it understood the victim was a member of the Armed Forces, and calling for communities to come together. The statement said:
“This is a truly barbaric act that has no basis in Islam and we condemn this unreservedly.
“Our thoughts are with the victim and his family.
“We understand the victim is a serving member of the Armed Forces. Muslims have long served in this country’s Armed Forces, proudly and with honour.
“This attack on a member of the Armed Forces is dishonourable, and no cause justifies this murder. This action will no doubt heighten tensions on the streets of the United Kingdom.
“We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail.”
The Islamic Forum of Europe issued a statement
The Islamic Forum of Europe condemns the shocking attack and murder of a soldier in London today. Although reports indicate the suspects are Muslim, there is no basis in Islam for such barbaric attacks.
The perpetrators may have had delusions of being martyrs for their faith, but the plain facts are they were violent criminals. They do not represent anyone but themselves. Such attacks are cowardly and without honour.
The thoughts of Muslims are with the victim’s family at this tragic time. We must all let the authorities get on with the task of investigating how this happened and let the perpetrators feel the full force of the law.
If you click on the Muslims Denounce Terrorism logo on the front page of The American Muslim, it will take you to Muslim Voices Against Extremism and Terrorism. There is a great deal of information available through links on that page, including these very extensive collections:
A Spiritual Jihad Against Terrorism (5 parts), Sheila Musaji
Muslim Scholars Appeal to Christian Scholars for Dialogue and Peace - “A Common Word”, Sheila Musaji
Muslim Violence, Christian Non-Violence: People in Glass Houses Should Not Throw Words, Sheila Musaji
Muslim Voices Against Extremism and Terrorism
list of article collections and resources
- Part I & II Fatwas & Statements by Muslim Scholars & Organizations against extremism and terrorism
- Part III Statements & Articles by Individuals
- Part IV A few Quotes A-K, and L-Z
- Part V Muslim Voices Promoting Islamic Non Violent Solutions
- Part VI Qur’an & Hadith Against Extremism and Terrorism
- Part VII Selective Hearing of Muslim Voices Against Extremism and Terrorism
- Part VIII Religious terrorism is an oxymoron, Sheila Musaji
- Part IX Throwing Stones at the Qur’an From a Biblical Glass House, Sheila Musaji
- Part X Claim that all terrorists are Muslims ignores history
- Part XI Hirabah - Jihad - Terrorism - Violence - Just War - Crusades article collection and resources from TAM and Loonwatch - updated 7/6/12
NOTE: Very little is known about the perpetrators or their affiliations and motives at this time. We don’t know what their nationality, or even whether they are lone wolves or part of some organized criminal gang like Al Qaeda. This will be updated as facts become available.
ARTICLES on this particular act of terrorism:
A brave woman talked down Woolwich terrorists who told her: ‘We want to start a war in London tonight’ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10074881/Mum-talked-down-Woolwich-terrorists-who-told-her-We-want-to-start-a-war-in-London-tonight.html
Anti-Muslim reprisals after Woolwich attack: English Defence League in street battles with police in Woolwich and mosques attacked in apparent acts of revenge http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/23/woolwich-attack-anti-muslim-reprisals
Muslims condemn barbaric killing http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/10436984.Muslims_condemn_barbaric_killing/?ref=nt
Muslims must not apologise for terror - they are no more responsible than the rest of us, Ian Dunt http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2013/05/22/comment-muslims-must-not-apologise-for-terror-they-are-no-mo
Woolwich Machete Attack: Muslim Religious Groups Condemn Killing http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/22/woolwich-machete-attack-religious-groups-condemn-killing_n_3322089.html?utm_hp_ref=uk?ncid=GEP
‘Not in our name’ – British Muslims denounce the Woolwich attack on Twitter http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/05/not-in-the-name-of-islam-british-muslims-denounce-the-woolwich-attack/
Woolwich attack: government convenes emergency meeting – live updates http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/22/woolwich-two-shot-in-police-incident-live-coverage
Woolwich attack: lone wolf and jihadist theories will occupy security forces http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/22/woolwich-attack-lone-wolf-jihadist