American Muslims condemn Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's Ft. Hood shooting & killing

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's shooting and killing spree at Ft. Hood in Texas was horrific, cowardly and unjustifiable under any circumstances.  May God bless and protect the survivors and the friends, families and colleagues of all who were killed or wounded by Hasan's violence.  May God grant those innocent souls who were killed today by Hasan peace.

One the most well known, reputable and representative American Muslim organizations in the United States, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), issued a written statement at 5:30pm today (11/5/09) condemning the shooting and killing at Ft. Hood in Texas.

In this afternoon's statement MPAC stated as follows:

MPAC and the Muslim American community unequivocally condemn this heinous incident.  We share the sentiment of our President, who called the Fort Hood attack "a horrific outburst of violence."  We are in contact with law enforcement and US federal government officials to gain more facts from this tragic incident and work together in dealing its aftermath.

"Our entire organization extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed as well as to those wounded and their loved ones," said Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. We stand in solidarity with law enforcement and the US military to maintain the safety and security of all Americans.

MPAC reaffirms its call to all members of American Muslim communities to be in contact with local law enforcement for the safety and security of their communities and their institutions.

MPAC is reflective of the broader American Muslim community.  It's organizational values set it at the top of American Muslim institutions for its unwavering commitment to peace and justice for all people while being equally committed to strengthening America domestically and internationally.  MPAC's programs and efforts consistently encourage American Muslims to serve American society and to address the challenges to Americans domestically and internationally through civic engagement at all levels.

Another major American Muslim organization to come out with a timely and unequivocal statement of condemnation is the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).  ISNA's statement was very clear:

The Islamic Society of North America condemns in the strongest terms the attack on soldiers at Fort Hood, resulting in the murder of at least a dozen soldiers and the wounding of many others.  We express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.

ISNA works closely with the many American Muslims who honorably serve our country in the military and the statement noted that one of ISNA's leaders, Dr. Louay Safi, was working with military chaplains at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

Also adding its voice this after is the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).  CAIR issued a statement which said:

We condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest terms possible and ask that the perpetrators be punished to the full extent of the law. No religious or political ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.

These three organizations, MPAC, ISNA and CAIR, are among the leading American Muslim institutions nationally.  It says a lot that each of them came out quickly and unequivocally with a statement condemning the murders at Ft. Hood.

I know that when something like this happens many fellow Americans want to know why American Muslims do not speak out.  Even though reputable news outlets like CNN have noted that this case does not have a terrorism link, we American Muslims are speaking out.  After all, even if this was not a case of terrorism, many innocent people were killed and wounded.  It is not too much to ask that people of faith speak out and pray.  That's what we are doing now.

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Comments

[adam]

i think it is personal accident due psychologicl disorders

[Jennifer Jilks]

Excellent post. I am glad you have presented this information. It is a horrible incident, and the issue of PTSD, especially by those who aid those who have served in combat, must be a terribly difficult task.

[JC Mull]

Total sham and lies... A typical habit of layer upon layer of lies that is typically woven by Islam and Christianity to cover their deeds of genocide... Both religions are the perpetrators of crime against humanity which is GENOCIDE... Law needs to reign the religious torch bearers of both with strictures and limit their activities to privacy.