BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
A coalition of almost 100 Muslim organizations in New Jersey are condemning the recent hostage situation at a restaurant in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 1, that killed 20 people, including two police officers and one American; a suicide truck bombing that killed more than 200 people in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 3; and a suicide bombing outside of the mosque where the Islamic prophet Muhammad is buried in Medina, Saudi Arabia, on July 4, that killed four Saudi guards and injured five others.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took responsibility for all of the attacks, which occurred at the end of Ramadan, one of the holiest times of year for Muslims.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and the injured and the victims of all these attacks on humanity around the world. It is obvious that terrorism coming from any source knows no borders and humanity is the victim of this ominous phenomenon. Ironically, the vast majority of the victims of these attacks are Muslims,” the statement dated July 4 read.
“The terrorists who continue to perpetrate these heinous crimes against humanity know no religion. They represent nothing more than a deviant and evil death cult bent on sowing discord amongst the civilized world and people from all backgrounds. All the faiths we represent call for peace, mercy, love, tolerance and helping the needy.
“We appreciate the strong support of faith leaders coming from many diverse traditions. We wish to affirm our common humanity, denounce all violence perpetrated in the name of any faith and reject any attempts by anyone to divide us. We cannot let terror, violence and hate exceed the love we have for each other,” the statement said.
The organizations include Ahlul-Bayt Student Association, Al Hoda Islamic Center, Al Tawheed Islamic Center, American Arab Civic Org, American Coalition for Good Government, American Muslim Alliance, American Muslim Council PAC, American Muslim Union, American Muslims for Democracy, American Muslims for Hunger Relief;
American Muslims for Palestine, Anjumane Nawjawanane Ali Akber, Bayonne Islamic Center, Bayonne Muslims, Baytul-Iman Academy, Bergen County Islamic Center, Blessed and Highly Favored, CAIR, Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University, Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals;
Dar ul Islam, Elizabeth Islamic Center – Midland Park, EMERGE – USA, Green Muslims of New Jersey, HAC, Helping Hand for Relief and Development, Hudson County Moslim Associations, Inspiring American Muslim Youth, Institute of Islamic Studies, Islamic Center of East Brunswick;
Islamic Center of Jersey City, Islamic Center of Morris County, Islamic Center of Old Bridge, Islamic Center of Passaic County, Islamic Center of South River, Islamic Center of Union County, Islamic Circle of Mercer Country, Islamic Circle of North America, Islamic Council of Greater Trenton, Islamic Council of Hudson County;
Islamic Council on Scouting of North America, Islamic Cultural Center, Islamic Relief USA, Islamic Society of Basking Ridge, Islamic Society of Central Jersey, Islamic Society of Essex County, Madinah Cultural Center, Majilus Ashura of Essex and Union County, MAROC, MAS;
Masjid Al Wali, Masjid Ibrahim-Newark, Masjid Muhammad Atlantic City, Masjid Waarith ud Deen-Irvington, Masjid-e-Ali, Masjidullah Inc. Plainfield, Mehfile Shahe Khorasan, Mehfile Shahe Khorasan / Sultan Karamali, Message of Peace Inc/ Patan-e- Aman, Mohammadia English Program;
Muslim American Society, Muslim Center of Middlesex County, Muslim Community Center of Union County, Muslim Community of New Jersey, Muslim League of Voters of NJ, Muslim Public Affairs Council, MUSLIM Society of Ridgewood, Muslim Students Association of NJIT, Muslims4peace.org, New Africa Educational Institute;
New Africa Excellence Enterprise, New Brunswick Islamic Center, New Business Islamic Center, New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association, New Jersey Muslim Voter Project, NJ Sisterhood, North Hudson Islamic Educational Center, Palestinian American Community Center, Plainfield Center for Islamic Enlightenment, Rutgers MSA;
Sadaqa House, Shia American Relationship Council, Shia Association Of North America, Baitul Qaem, SMILE, standwithdignity.org, Sultan Karamali, Swasia Charity Foundation, The Building Blocks of NJ, The Citizens Foundation;
The Indigo GLOW Foundation, The Islamic Center of Jersey City, The Islamic Council of Hudson County, The Muslim Network, The New Guidance Center, Tri State Imams Council, Turkish Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Universal Muslim Association of America, World Islamic Committee on Scouting and Zanabia New Jersey.
The coalition issued a similar statement after the terrorist attack by suicide bombers at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Turkey on June 28 that took the lives of 41 people and injured 239. The coalition had urged all mosques and Islamic Centers to organize candlelight vigils for the victims, including a Vigil for Peace on June 29 and one on June 30 at Masjid-e-Ali in Franklin Township.
In addition, the Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ), located in Monmouth Junction, released a statement regarding the largest mass shooting on American soil that took place on June 12, when an American ISIS-supporter killed 49 and injured 53 at a gay club in Orlando, Florida.
“The ISCJ strongly condemns this unjustified attack. This violence is totally unacceptable and against every value and tradition of all faiths. It is simply a tragic hate crime against humanity.
“Islam and all faiths support the sanctity of life and we are deeply saddened to issue yet another statement condemning senseless violence and lack of respect and dignity for life. We applaud and give thanks to law enforcement officials and first responders who heroically aided the surviving victims.
“This attack is particularly deplorable coming during the blessed month of Ramadan. We speak as Muslims, as Americans and as human beings who are committed to peace, democracy and justice for all children and people in the world. We stand in solidarity and reject and condemn violence, hatred, and discrimination toward any individual or group on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, familial status, orientation and national origin,” the statement issued by Arif Patel, president of the ISCJ, said.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].