The Majlis Ash-Shura (Islamic Leadership Council) of Metropolitan New York and its member mosques and nonprofit organizations across New York City, Upper New York, and Long Island is shocked and deeply saddened by the cold-blooded killings of three young American Muslim college students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. According to reports, the three college students were shot execution style by a self-proclaimed Atheist in their home.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the innocent victims of this tragedy. We are overwhelmed with grief and sadness by the loss of the promising lives of Deah Shaddy Barakat 23, his wife Yusor Mohammed 21 and her sister, Razan Mohammed Abu Salha 19. We know that this incident in no way reflects the quality of their lives as daughters, a son, a married couple, and students. They were law abiding young adults who were kind, respectable, loving, charitable, caring, and most of all,
servants of Allah (God).
As the world watches in horror, we firmly believe this senseless murder is a result of the endless anti-Muslim rhetoric and propaganda projected in the media. This was nothing less than a hate crime resulting from the ever-increasing climate of enmity and stigma promoted through mass media. There has been a drastic increase of anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia within the last several years globally, directly attributed to the assignment of collective guilt to the entire global Muslim community by Islamophobes, for the actions of Muslim violent extremists.
The media's biased coverage following attacks on the Charlie Hedbo offices in France; the release of the film "American Sniper;" and the false statements by opportunistic politicians such as the Governor of Louisiana Piyush (Bobby) Jindal on 'no go zones for non-Muslims,' all contributed to the growing narrative against American Muslim communities.
The Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan NY urges the FBI and the Department of Justice to launch an immediate investigation in consideration of this crime as a domestic terrorist attack pending confirmation of the motives of the shooter. The federal authorities have been diligently working on an effort to understand violent extremism and therefore we urge them to examine this case as a possible violent extremist attack. It is imperative that both the federal government and all law enforcement agencies recognize that violent extremism is not restricted to one particular religion, race or ethnic group.
The Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan NY calls on all law enforcement agencies locally and nationally to insure the safety and security of Mosques and local Muslim organizations, as well as coordinate with them to safeguard the communities they serve.
We urge Muslim community members locally and nationally to exercise caution and vigilance in their daily activities. More than a decade after 9/11, Muslim, Arab, South Asian , and other American minority religious and ethnic communities must take their safety and security seriously when they receive threats of violence to themselves, their families, or their houses of worship. We encourage couseling and collaboration with the Ummah in America with those most experienced in such matters, especially Afri- can- American and Spanish-speaking.
The Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan New York was founded in 1989. Its membership consists of representatives of some 60 masaajid (mosques) and Muslim community-based organizations led by imams and board presidents, activists, and youth directors, providing leadership and advocacy for men, women and youth.
We summarize our position as follows:
1- We pledge ourselves to partnership with willing others in a unified effort to address this injustice.
2- We call for a just and transparent investigation by law enforcement authorities with oversight of the process by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.
3- We recognize the role of Islamophobia in creating an atmosphere of hate that stigmatizes Muslims and promotes an atmosphere of hate that endangers Muslim lives.
4- We support teach-ins and seminars designed to raise consciousness for the intent of mobilizing the Muslim community for justice for the families of the innocent people killed . We call upon all members of the Majlis Ash-Shura to support and participate in such activities.
5- We express our support for all activities sincerely, intelligently and ethically designed to accomplish the above, including but not limited to public demonstrations,outreach on an interfaith basis, media campaigns, etc.
6- Insha'Allah We will support and participate in the promotion of these initiatives
7- We call upon all imams of the Majlis Ash-Shura (ILC) of Metropolitan New York to address this matter during their Friday khutbas today, Feb 13, 2015. See more at: http://shuranewyork.us
