When Muslim organizations write about an issue that we agree with, we simply endorse them instead of writing a new press release. No two people think alike, and no two organizations take the same stand. We believe in diversity and even among the members of our organization we accept the differences.
I am pleased to share three press releases below, parts of which we wholeheartedly agree. The bottom line is the bad guy is taken off the street and he can do no harm.
However, that is the not the kind of America we want where due process is derailed, we must hold President Obama responsible to uphold the law of the land. He cannot circumvent the law and set ugly precedents for future abuse. Ultimately it is upholding the rule of law that offers safety to the citizens.
Mike Ghouse
World Muslim Congress
Dallas, Texas
World Muslim Congress
Dallas, Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR: Al-Awlaki’s Calls to Violence Rejected by U.S. Muslims
Civil rights group concerned about constitutional issues raised by assassination of American citizen
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/30/11) — A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today reiterated that the calls to violence made by Anwar al-Awlaki, who has reportedly been killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen, have been firmly rejected by American Muslims.
In a statement reacting to al-Awlaki’s death, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said:
“As we have stated repeatedly in the past, the American Muslim community firmly repudiated Anwar al-Awlaki’s incitement to violence, which occurred after he left the United States. While a voice of hate has been eliminated, we urge our nation’s leaders to address the constitutional issues raised by the assassination of American citizens without due process of law.” [MEDIA NOTE: Because of the sensitivity of the issue, please use the statement in full.]
In a past statement following a call by al-Awlaki for Muslims to attack the United States, CAIR noted: “We repudiate Anwar al-Awlaki’s call for attacks on our nation and urge anyone who may be swayed by his extremist views to instead seek out scholars and community leaders who can offer a mainstream perspective on the positive role Muslims are obligated to play in every society. American Muslims seek to promote justice and the general welfare through civic engagement and community service.”
CAIR also repudiated hate-filled statements by al-Awlaki praising the 2009 killings at Fort Hood in Texas.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the 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: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
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Ramadhan Foundation
Contact: Mohammed Shafiq 07989 764624
Embargo: Immediate Friday 30th September 17:00
Published: Friday 30th September 2011 17:00
Mr. Mohammed Shafiq, Chief Executive of the Ramadhan Foundation comments:
“One of the greatest value of our countries is that every human being is entitled to a free and fair trial into the allegations against them, terrorists and extremists are no different. Anwar Awlaki has been responsible for preaching hatred and views that run counter to Islam, he should have been put on trial in an international court.
Al Qaeda’s ideology of violence and killing is evil and has no justification in Islam and we in the Muslim community abhor this ideology as our Islamic duty. Human rights should not be disregarded when it comes to alleged terrorists but the process of law should be followed. I am disappointed that the United States Government has increased this sort of extra judicial killing without referring to the legal system and that is very disappointing.
These drone attacks have no legal justification in international law and have killed thousands of innocent people including children. The United States must return to the rule of law and ensure that all alleged terrorists are put on trial and held responsible for their actions.
Islam forbids terrorist atrocities and the killing of innocent people anywhere in the world and we are proud that the British Muslim community is working hard to stop this ideology brainwashing British youngsters. The Ramadhan Foundation has been at the forefront of tackling this evil and will continue to do this work for as long the threat remains.
I am clear that these terrorists do not act in the name of Islam and the court is the only place where they can be held responsible for their crimes.
Time for the Obama Administration to restore justice and the rule of law.”
END
Mr. Mohammed Shafiq
Chief Executive
Ramadhan Foundationmohammed.shafiq@ramadhanfoundation.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Death of Anwar Al-Awlaki should be cause for celebration in American Muslim Community
AIFD believes that there is a long road ahead but Al-Awlaki’s death removes threat to American Muslim youth
PHOENIX (September 30, 2011) – Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Muslim and the president and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) issued the following statement regarding the death of Imam Anwar Al Awlaki in Yemen:
“The death of Imam Anwar Al Awlaki marks the removal of one of the most significant threats to America and to American Muslim youth in particular. While his death will not mark the end of Al Qaeda or the threat that exists from militant Islamists, Al-Awlaki’s death is an important step in the process. AIFD congratulates our military and intelligence apparatus for ensuring that this threat was removed.
Al-Awlaki has repeatedly proven a desire to commit violent acts of war against the American people. He has attacked our homeland on several occasions, the most successful of which was his influence on Nidal Hasan and the Fort Hood Massacre. There was no reason to be believe that Al-Awlaki would stop trying to inflict harm on the American people.
AIFD applauds the Administration’s where-with-all to maintain its focus on Al-Awlaki, even in the face of pressure from its own advisors such as Mohamed Elibiary who sits on the Homeland Security Council and argued on Foxnews.com in April that ‘it’s a mistake to assassinate Anwar Al-Awlaki. The President made the right decision in removing Al-Awlaki
Now the Administration needs to look at rebooting the nation’s strategy in dealing with counterterrorism. We must begin to focus on the ideological root of militant Islamist radicals and engage in the war of ideas or we simply face another Anwar Al-Awlaki down the line.”
About the American Islamic Forum for Democracy
The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. AIFD’s mission advocates for the preservation of the founding principles of the United States Constitution, liberty and freedom, through the separation of mosque and state. For more information on AIFD, please visit our website at http://www.aifdemocracy.org/.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Gregg Edgar
Gordon C. James Public Relation
gedgar@gcjpr.com