PUBLIC STATEMENTS

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of God, the all Compassionate, the all Merciful​

أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

“Whoever kills a soul—unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had killed all mankind; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32)

The Ithna-Asheri Muslim Association of the Northwest (IMAN) unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violence against innocent civilians, whoever commits them and wherever they occur.

The killing and suffering of innocent people—whether in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, the United States, or anywhere else in the world—are tragedies that cause profound pain and anguish. Every innocent life lost is a loss to humanity.

It is particularly painful when perpetrators of such horrific acts claim to act in the name of Islam. Islam, like the world's great faith traditions, calls upon humanity to uphold the dignity and sanctity of human life, to act with justice and compassion, and to reject oppression and violence against the innocent. Acts of terrorism and the killing of innocent people cannot be justified in the name of Islam.

At times of tragedy, it is especially important to distinguish between the teachings of a faith and the actions of individuals who claim that faith while acting contrary to its fundamental principles. We reject attempts to associate Islam or Muslims collectively with the actions of those who perpetrate violence.

We stand united with our fellow Americans and with people of conscience everywhere in mourning innocent lives lost to violence. We pray that faith in our common humanity, compassion, and mutual respect will prevail over fear, hatred, and suspicion—including the Islamophobia that has affected Muslim communities in our country.

We call upon religious, civic, and community leaders to stand in solidarity with all innocent victims of violence and to work together toward a future founded upon peace, justice, human dignity, human rights, mutual respect, and inclusive communities.

We especially encourage Muslim scholars and community leaders to confront teachings and ideologies that promote hatred, extremism, violence, or division, and to affirm the Qur'anic message of mercy, justice, peace, and respect for human dignity.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-conscious. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49:13)

The Qur'an calls humanity not to despise our differences, but to know one another. Human dignity is not determined by race, nationality, ethnicity, or social standing, but by righteousness and God-consciousness.

​وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ

“Good and evil are not the same. Repel [evil] with what is better, and then the one between whom and you there was enmity will become as though he were a devoted friend.” (Qur’an 41:34)