CAIR condemnation of suicide bombing

CAIR Condemnations of Suicide Bombings and Attacks on Civilians

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/28/2002) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, today condemned a bomb attack on a Passover celebration in the Middle East that left 20 people dead and more than 100 wounded.

In a statement, CAIR said:

"We condemn this attack and all other attacks on innocent civilians. Illegitimate and counterproductive tactics must not be used in the legitimate struggle to end Israel's brutal occupation.

"This attack is of particular concern coming as it did during a religious observance in which the focus is remembrance of God.

Note: CAIR has condemned numerous such bombings.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

CAIR CONDEMNS HAIFA SUICIDE BOMBING

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/2003) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, today condemned the suicide bombing Saturday in a Haifa restaurant that killed at least 19 people, including three children.

In its statement, the group said:

"CAIR condemns this vicious attack in the strongest possible terms. The bombing is particularly loathsome, coming as it did on the eve of the Jewish community's holiest day.

"We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and call for the swift apprehension of the perpetrators."

CAIR, American's largest Islamic civil liberties group, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 16 regional offices nationwide and in Canada.

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CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-MAIL: cair@cair-net.org

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

CAIR CONDEMNS MURDER OF AMERICAN IN SAUDI ARABIA

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/18/04) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned the murder of American civilian Paul M. Johnson Jr. in Saudi Arabia who had been held since last week by kidnappers linked to Al-Qaeda.

In its statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:

“We condemn this act of senseless violence and repudiate all those who believe such murderous behavior benefits the faith of Islam or the Muslim people. We also call for the swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators.”

CAIR recently launched an online petition drive, called “Not in the Name of Islam,” designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims. Individuals and organizations representing more than 600,000 Muslims worldwide have already signed the CAIR petition.

SEE: http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=1071&page=NR

The “Not in the Name of Islam” petition states:

“We, the undersigned Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.”

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 28 regional offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada.

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CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: cair@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org

CAIR CALLS FOR RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES IN IRAQ
Islamic civil rights group condemns murder of American engineer

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/21/04) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned the murder of American civil engineer Eugene Armstrong in Iraq and called for the immediate release of all hostages currently held in that country, including another American and a Briton. (More than 130 foreigners have been kidnapped recently in Iraq.)

In its statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:

"We condemn this latest act of murder in Iraq and repudiate those who would commit such atrocities. We also call for the immediate release of all hostages currently held in Iraq, whatever their nation of origin or faith."

“As American Muslims and people of conscience, we unequivocally reject the claim that any cause could possibly be advanced by the killing of civilians and offer our sincere condolences to Mr. Armstrong’s family.”

CAIR recently launched an online petition drive, called “Not in the Name of Islam,” designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims.

SEE: http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=169&page=AA

The “Not in the Name of Islam” petition states:

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 29 regional offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada.

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CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: cair@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

CAIR CONDEMNS KILLINGS OF CIVILIANS IN GAZA
Death toll rises to 100 in Israeli offensive

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/14/04) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned the daily killings of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli armed forces.

The Palestinian death toll recently hit 100 in Israel’s latest attack on Gaza. An Israeli officer was suspended Wednesday for riddling the body of a Palestinian schoolgirl with bullets after she was killed by fellow soldiers. The girl was shot some 20 times as she walked past an Israeli military outpost to a Gaza school.

In its statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:

"As American officials stand mute, Israel is treating Gaza like a fenced hunting preserve in which human beings are the prey. Muslim condemnations of terrorism and extremism are undercut every time an American taxpayer-funded plane drops an American-made bomb on Palestinian civilians.”

CAIR also called on American Jewish leaders and organizations to condemn Israel’s brutal actions in the Occupied Territories, particularly the killing of children.

The U.N. relief agency for Palestinians today called on Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip and to permit the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 29 regional offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada.

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CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: cair@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org

CAIR CONDEMNS MURDER OF MARGARET HASSAN

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/17/04) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned the apparent murder of British-Iraqi aid worker Margaret Hassan.

Hassan was kidnapped Oct. 19 in Baghdad, where she was the local director of the relief group CARE International. A video released to the Al-Jazeera satellite network showed what was purported to be Hassan’s execution by her kidnappers.

In its statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:

"We condemn this cold-blooded murder and repudiate all those who commit such acts of mindless violence. We offer sincere condolences to Ms. Hassan’s family and once again call on people of all faiths and cultures to work together for peace and reconciliation, not continued war and destruction."

In October, CAIR held a news conference in Washington, D.C., at which a number of American Imams issued a statement calling for the release of all hostages held in Iraq. Their declaration stated in part: “As leaders of American mosques and as representatives of the American Muslim community, we call for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages currently being held in Iraq, whatever their nationality or faith.”

SEE: http://www.cair.com/asp/article.asp?id=1294&page=NR

Also in October, CAIR sent a letter of support to CARE International Secretary General Denis Caillaux. The letter read in part: “It is beyond contempt that anyone would attempt to thwart the humanitarian work of CARE International and human rights advocates likes Mrs. Hassan…We hope that this terrible ordeal will soon be over and Mrs. Hassan can return to her family and her wonderful work helping the people of Iraq.”

CAIR recently launched an online petition drive, called “Not in the Name of Islam,” designed to disassociate Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims.

SEE: http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=169&page=AA

The “Not in the Name of Islam” petition states:

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 29 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org