ADC Statement on the Attack in Benghazi
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) strongly condemns the brutal attack on the U.S. Consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi that erupted during protests last night. Four Americans were killed in the attack, among them the U.S. Envoy to Libya, Ambassador J Christopher Stevens.
This senseless act of violence occurred amidst angry protests decrying an anti-Islamic film produced in the U.S. that appeared on YouTube. Thousands of Egyptians also protested the film at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo yesterday. The film is highly insulting to the religious sentiments of Muslims.
While ADC is committed to the right enshrined in our nation’s Constitution of free speech, there is no question that the purposeful provocation of any religious group is divisive and reprehensible. However, responding with violence only plays into the hands of those who seek to divide us and inevitably leads to painful loss.
ADC extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of those killed; and urges Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world to always react with reason, not anger, against any ignorant attack on Islam.