Trade Center terrorists do not speak for Muslims

There is absolutely no religion in this world that supports such cruel acts of inhumanity, and Islam is no different.

By: Parvaiz Malik
   I stand before you today as an American citizen experiencing a rush of several emotions. I feel pain, sadness and anger. I cannot comprehend who would do such a thing against anyone, let alone my fellow Americans. And like many of you, I feel horror at seeing those images of death and destruction of innocent American people and sabotage of daily routines of our lives.
   I am here in front of you today, sharing my feelings with you as your neighbor, your fellow American and as a Muslim.
   Many of you have heard about the anti-Islamic sentiment in our country reaching an all-time high. It almost seems that every time you hear anything about Islam, especially recently, the media tends to associate these and other terrorist activities with our religion. We have heard many blanket statements regarding Islam, and many anti-Islamic sentiments have been expressed by people that feel a justifiable need to express their anger.
   I’d like to address these sentiments today. There is absolutely no religion in this world that supports such cruel acts of inhumanity, and Islam is no different.
   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 and the verse reads:
   "Who so ever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption on the earth, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be s if he had saved the life of all mankind." (Al-Ma’dah:32)
   Our prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, "A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he does not kill another person illegally."
   Muslim-Americans here are going through the same feelings of pain and loss as every other American; they too have lost families, neighbors and friends to these atrocious acts, and we as Muslims disavow those responsible for this tragedy.
   On behalf of the Muslim community, I want you to know that these acts in no way reflect upon the teachings of any faith, and definitely not ours. Remember that we are not only Muslims, but Americans as well — and like Americans everywhere, we love this country and detest those who have attacked it.
   I want to end by touching upon President Bush’s words as he comforted all of America; he addressed the issue of American resolve, and said that our foundations are truly unshakable. I could not agree with the president more. To see the entire country unite at a time like this indicated the power that lies in American people. Our collective faiths are the strength of our nation, and I have no doubt we will triumph over this travesty as only Americans can.
   Medical and emergency personnel, volunteers, blood donors- and Americans everywhere have come together to help in anyway possible. It is this unity that gives me hope, and I see that same hope in this room today.
   We stand united as a nation against those responsible for this act of terror, and we grieve as a nation for the family of citizens lost to this unspeakable evil. Now, more than ever, we must rely on our founding principles of unity and liberty to sustain us through this tragedy. And we must stand united as a nation against those who have assaulted it. Today, Muslim Americans everywhere in this nation stand behind our great nation 100 percent.
   America’s heart is breaking, but her great spirit never will. For that reason, let us know each other for what is in our hearts, not for the colors of our skin, for our faith or for our ancestry. Let us stand together as one, all of us being different, yet all of us being the same Americans under the same flag.
Parvaiz Malik is the chairman of the board of trustees of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey on Route 1 in Monmouth Junction. He has been a practicing physician in the United States for 25 years. His remarks were presented after the Sept. 14 prayer service at the ISCJ’s Route 1 mosque.