Arab, Muslim Groups in Michigan Condemn Ft. Hood Shooting
Arab-American and Muslim groups based in metro Detroit and across the U.S. have strongly condemned the http://www.freep.com/article/20091105/NEWS07/91105055/1318/Suspect-in-Ft.-Hood-shooting-on-ventilator”>shooting rampage in Ft. Hood, Texas, saying the actions are not rooted in Islam or Arab culture.
According to reports, the shooter is a Muslim of Arab descent who attended a mosque, handed out Qurans before the attack, and shouted “Allahu Akbar,” God is great, during the shootings.
The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military, founded and led by a Dearborn native in the Marines, released a statement that said “our thoughts are first and foremost with the Fort Hood shooting victims and their families.”
The statement notes that thousands of Arab Americans serve proudly and honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Many of us have willingly stepped forward to fulfill our duty with our fellow soldiers in both Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the globe for the defense of our national security,” the statement said.
The statement added that “the actions of Hasan are those of a deranged gunman, and are in no way representative of the wider Arab American or American Muslim community.”
The group was founded and led by Jamal Baadani, a former Dearborn resident who has served in the Middle East.
“Arab Americans are as devastated about those killed and wounded and their families as all other Americans are,” said Osama Siblani, publisher of Dearborn-based Arab American News and spokesman for the Congress of Arab-American Organizations, in a statement today. “We stand with President Obama in condemning this horrific incidence of violence.”
“We ask all to remember that when people commit crimes, they do so not because of their religion or culture, but in spite of their religious and cultural upbringing,” Siblani added.
The Islamic Center of America, a Shia mosque based in Dearborn, released a statement today that said it “condemns the atrocious attacks.”
“This inexcusable act of violence must not be tolerated, and the perpetrators should be held accountable for their crime.”
The statement also said: “Islam in no way accepts such violence and terror. Islam is a peaceful religion with great reverence for human life. Those who perform such acts do not represent the faith of Islam, nor the Muslim American Community.”
It added that “our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and our fellow citizens who are suffering.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has an active chapter in Michigan, issued a statement Wednesday that said:
“We condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest terms possible and ask that the perpetrators be punished to the full extent of the law. No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.”
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which has an active branch in Michigan, said in a statement that:
“This attack is absolutely deplorable. … Such violence is morally reprehensible and has nothing to do with any religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin.”
The Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services said in a statement today that “our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed or injured … his actions in no way reflect the Arab American and Muslim community at large.”
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan said that it “unequivocally condemns the horrific act of indiscriminate violence at Fort Hood military base in Texas.”
The council added that it “extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed as well as to those wounded and their loved ones.”
The Lebanese-American Heritage Club, based in Dearborn, said it “vehemently condemns the atrocious attack.”
“During this time of great sorrow and loss, our prayers go out to the families of those who are mourning the loss of a loved one in this tragic event,” said Ali Jawad, founder of the Lebanese club. The club’s members are “deeply saddened by the events at Fort Hood and pray for the speedy recovery of those who suffered injuries in this heinous act against humankind.”
Arab-American and Muslim groups based in metro Detroit and across the U.S. have strongly condemned the http://www.freep.com/article/20091105/NEWS07/91105055/1318/Suspect-in-Ft.-Hood-shooting-on-ventilator”>shooting rampage in Ft. Hood, Texas, saying the actions are not rooted in Islam or Arab culture.
According to reports, the shooter is a Muslim of Arab descent who attended a mosque, handed out Qurans before the attack, and shouted “Allahu Akbar,” God is great, during the shootings.
The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military, founded and led by a Dearborn native in the Marines, released a statement that said “our thoughts are first and foremost with the Fort Hood shooting victims and their families.”
The statement notes that thousands of Arab Americans serve proudly and honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Many of us have willingly stepped forward to fulfill our duty with our fellow soldiers in both Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the globe for the defense of our national security,” the statement said.
The statement added that “the actions of Hasan are those of a deranged gunman, and are in no way representative of the wider Arab American or American Muslim community.”
The group was founded and led by Jamal Baadani, a former Dearborn resident who has served in the Middle East.
“Arab Americans are as devastated about those killed and wounded and their families as all other Americans are,” said Osama Siblani, publisher of Dearborn-based Arab American News and spokesman for the Congress of Arab-American Organizations, in a statement today. “We stand with President Obama in condemning this horrific incidence of violence.”
“We ask all to remember that when people commit crimes, they do so not because of their religion or culture, but in spite of their religious and cultural upbringing,” Siblani added.
The Islamic Center of America, a Shia mosque based in Dearborn, released a statement today that said it “condemns the atrocious attacks.”
“This inexcusable act of violence must not be tolerated, and the perpetrators should be held accountable for their crime.”
The statement also said: “Islam in no way accepts such violence and terror. Islam is a peaceful religion with great reverence for human life. Those who perform such acts do not represent the faith of Islam, nor the Muslim American Community.”
It added that “our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and our fellow citizens who are suffering.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has an active chapter in Michigan, issued a statement Wednesday that said:
“We condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest terms possible and ask that the perpetrators be punished to the full extent of the law. No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.”
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which has an active branch in Michigan, said in a statement that:
“This attack is absolutely deplorable. … Such violence is morally reprehensible and has nothing to do with any religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin.”
The Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services said in a statement today that “our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed or injured … his actions in no way reflect the Arab American and Muslim community at large.”
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan said that it “unequivocally condemns the horrific act of indiscriminate violence at Fort Hood military base in Texas.”
The council added that it “extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed as well as to those wounded and their loved ones.”
The Lebanese-American Heritage Club, based in Dearborn, said it “vehemently condemns the atrocious attack.”
“During this time of great sorrow and loss, our prayers go out to the families of those who are mourning the loss of a loved one in this tragic event,” said Ali Jawad, founder of the Lebanese club. The club’s members are “deeply saddened by the events at Fort Hood and pray for the speedy recovery of those who suffered injuries in this heinous act against humankind.”
Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Pres