We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the crime committed on
September
11, 2001 and join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of up to
6000
innocent civilians.
We reiterate our support for bringing to justice those who are responsible
for
planning, executing or knowingly helping to carry out this crime. In
so doing,
we believe those all-legal provisions, and procedures of law, national
and
international, must be adhered to.
We believe the bombing in Afghanistan is not in the long-term interest
of our
country or the world at large. The bombing victimizes the innocents,
exacerbates the humanitarian disaster, and creates widespread resentment
across
the Muslim world. Allowing thousands of innocent civilians to die in
the harsh
Afghan winter will only serve to weaken the global resolve to root
out
terrorism. The senseless starvation of women and children will fuel
hate and
extremism.
We call on our government to urgently re-assess its action in Afghanistan,
and
to cease the bombing campaign and other military actions. Our government
should
seek a more effective and long-term strategy to deal with terrorism
and its
causes, whether such violence is committed by individuals, groups or
states. We
feel that international disputes should be resolved through UN mechanisms
and
in accordance with its charter.
As American Muslims, we stand ready to help our government in building
bridges
of understanding with Muslim countries, and assist in removing root
causes of
misunderstanding, grievances and conflict. We also express our opposition
to
the extension of bombing to other countries. Such attacks will aggravate
an
already explosive and destabilizing situation.
As Americans, we believe that it is not only our right but also our
civic duty
and responsibility to express our sincere views of what is in the long-term
interest of our country. We strongly reject any suggestion that opposing
a
certain policy of our government is tantamount to disloyalty. This
suggestion
is undemocratic, unfair and un-American.
Finally, we express our concern about the possibility of unconstitutional
measures in new anti-terrorism legislation, which may curtail civil
liberties
in the name of security. Such measures are unlikely to make Americans
safer and
may be applied in a discriminatory manner against American citizens
and lawful
residents from specific ethnic and religious groups.
We pray to the universal God of all to bestow His mercy, healing and
peace on
all humanity.
Signed:
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim American Society (MAS),
Council
on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Muslim Alliance of North America
(MANA),
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Public Affairs Council
(MPAC),
Muslim Student Association (MSA), Islamic Association for Palestine
(IAP),
United Association for Studies and Research (UASR), Solidarity International,
American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ), American Muslim
Alliance
(AMA), United Muslim Americans Association (UMAA), Islamic Media Foundation
(IMF), American Muslim Foundation (AMF), Coordinating Council of Muslim
Organizations (CCMO), American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ), Muslim
Arab Youth
Association (MAYA)