The Islamic Society of Central Jersey is urging local residents to separate the acts of terrorists from the religion of Islam.
By: Michael Arges and Nick D’Amore
In light of suspicions that the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack was part of a radical Islamic campaign against the West, area Muslims and Christians are taking steps to improve ties of understanding and cooperation between the faiths.
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America attacked: Two township residents feared dead (Sept. 13, 2001) Terror’s shockwaves felt locally (Sept. 14, 2001) Anger, sadness among range of emotions (Sept. 14, 2001) Area ministry, schools respond to grief-stricken (Sept. 14, 2001) Terrorists ask for war (Sept. 14, 2001) Helping children cope with disaster (Sept. 14, 2001) Terror attacks claim at least six local residents (Sept. 21, 2001) Building a garden to remember (Sept. 21, 2001) Former Hightstown man hero of Flight 93 (Sept. 21, 2001) Township Council to eye memorial (Sept. 21, 2001) Priest’s painting inspires parishoners (Sept. 21, 2001) Area Muslims condemn attacks (Sept. 21, 2001) Tragedy forces new sense of perspective (Sept. 21, 2001) Children want to help, too (Sept. 21, 2001) |
There is concern to avoid any kind of anti-Islamic backlash in America and to expose the fraudulence of the claim that such an attack could be called "Islamic" in any way.
At a Sept. 14 press conference sponsored by the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, these issues were addressed in a statement by Parvaiz Malik, the chairman of the board of trustees of the society, located on Route 1 in South Brunswick.
"There is absolutely no religion in this world that supports such cruel acts of inhumanity, and Islam is no different," Mr. Malik said. "Islam is a religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers attack against innocent human beings a grave sin. This is addressed in our holy book Qur’an."
"The criminals are on trial, not a faith and nationality," said Riaz Siddiqui, a society trustee. "The people who did this do not have any faith, no matter what anyone says. We will use this calamity to unite."
Mr. Siddiqui said Islam preaches total submission to Allah and that Muslims achieve tranquillity and peace from that submission.
Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli said the society had not been harassed or received any threats, unlike other areas in the country. However, a resident of Richard Road, which is adjacent to the society, sat in the middle of the road near the mosque Wednesday with a sign that read, "Islamic Society, where are your flags?" Imam Chebli said the society did not consider the incident to be harassment and he and Mohommed Siddiqui, president of the society, both spoke to the man. The man gave them an American flag, which is now displayed outside the mosque.
"We have good neighbors around us," said Imam Chebli.
Mr. Malik agreed.
"We have not faced any harassment. To the contrary, we’ve received calls of support from churches and synagogues," he said.
Abdemrehim Riad, former chairman of the board, emphasized that the society is made up of American citizens, who are also affected by the tragedy, as Americans.
"We are American, law-abiding people. Give us a chance to say, ‘We are one of you and are deeply hurt like you are.’ Every religion has the good, the bad and the ugly," he said. He also urged those who would launch attacks like the one on Sept. 11 to "leave the boundary of religion aside. Be a man, and do it yourself."
East Windsor and Hightstown police have not reported any bias incidents in the wake of last week’s tragedy.
The tragedy has made a definite impact at Princeton Theological Seminary, said the Rev. Paul Rorem, a professor of church history there. Because of the controversy he has moved up to this spring the teaching of his course on the history of Muslim/Christian relations in the medieval period.
"Muslims and Christians from Mohammed to Luther" is the title of the course.
"It’s an additional opportunity for the seminary student body to learn about Islam and the history of Christian-Muslim relations," the Rev. Rorem noted.
"Islam is multicultural and international," the Rev. Rorem added. "It is traditionally a culture of high moral standards including peace."
Because of the special brutality of last week’s attack, Islamic communities have been even more emphatic in their renunciations of the terrorist assault, the Rev. Rorem observed.
"Both Islamic communities in the United States and in other countries around the world have gone further this time to disavow any sympathy with such acts it’s been more forceful this time," he said.

