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New York City Muslims condemn ISIS


On the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, anticipating that President Obama will use a speech to the nation on Wednesday night to make his case for launching a United States-led offensive against Sunni militants, diverse Muslim American leaders and local community representatives will meet at Judson Memorial to affirm their clear opposition to the violence and brutality of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Beginning at 1pm on Wednesday, 10 September, Sunni and Shia leaders will stand on Judson steps (at corner of 239 Thompson Street near Washington Square South in NYC) in solidarity to oppose the ISIS targeting of Shia to deplore attacks on other religious groups. Muslim and multifaith leaders will also express their concerns regarding the impact of increased hostilities, with hate crimes and levels of anti-Muslim sentiment dangerously high here at home.

"Though ISIS claims to be building a caliphate, the vast majority of Muslims reject its claims and its methods, which include visiting violence and cruelty on religious and ethnic minorities in contradiction to established Islamic norms," stated Rabia Harris of the Muslim Peace Fellowship. "While many Muslims around the world remain critical of US policies, and suffer under repressive governments of their own, violent extremism cannot build up a healthy state or society. I call on today's leaders to put aside militaristic responses."

Muslim Americans have been speaking out against terror for many years, but have not been heard by the mainstream media, because people still ask 'where are the Muslims,'" explained Haris Tarin of Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). "Well we are here. It's important to accept Muslims as partners for peaceful and positive social action and for us all to work together for a better world."

Sami Elmansoury of MPAC New York added: "As a young American Muslim, I became more active in the dialogue and counter-narrative space after the tragedy of 9/11. I call on today's global leaders - political, faith-based, and otherwise - to help alter cyclical conditions and to transcend rhetoric that draws youth to these abhorrent and misrepresentative organizations. I also call on my fellow Muslims around the world to build their societies nonviolently, through dialogue amid difference and through the ballot box, instead of through bullets that only breed cyclical tragedy and global mistrust."

Sahar Al Sahlani of Fellowship of Reconciliation added, "As a Shia Muslim, I appreciate the opportunity to stand with Sunni allies and Christian allies. I know that the brutal behavior of ISIS is un-Islamic and I hope the world will understand this clearly. Murder of civilians, hostage taking and torture is unacceptable behavior no matter who does it."

"I implore for my fellow Muslims, and fellow Americans, to reflect on the terrible state of the world and consider the ripple effect in hate crimes and hostility faced by our youth in the street of New York. No one should live with hate and hate solves nothing," added Debbie Almontaser, Board of Chair of Muslim Consultative Network.

Speakers will include Imam Shamsi Ali of the Nusuntara Foundation, Chaplain Khalid Latif of Islamic Center of NYU, Sr Linda Sarsour of Arab American Association of NY, Rev Chloe Breyer of Interfaith Center of New York, Imam Sahlani of al Khoei Center and several other Muslim community leaders expected from the Islamic Leadership Council and from diverse communities. Speakers will add their voices to the many existing statements that have been issued from Muslim American groups around the nation.

Source: Pax Christi Metro New York

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