Tucson Islamic Center Denounces San Bernardino ISIS

On December 6, the Islamic Center of Tucson issued a statement calling for the voices of reason to stand together and triumph over extremism. The organization stated that it was “saddened by the horrific actions that took place in San Bernardino, California just a few days ago.”

“It is without hesitation or doubt that we denounce the actions of the perpetrators in this and all acts of senseless violence,” read the statement. “Any actions of violence against defenseless civilians are morally repugnant and inexcusable by any definition.”

“The world once again grieves with the families of the victims and we hope that the daily atrocities we have become accustomed to cease sooner rather than later,” continued the statement. “The responsibility falls on us to spread peace, love and tolerance, while so many are spreading violence, hate and prejudice.”

When asked if the organization supported the call for all Muslims to condemn the actions of those who claim association to Daesh and al Queda, Mr. Taha Hasan, director of public relations at the Islamic Center of Tucson, responded to the ADI that he could only offer his own views, and may “not represent the views of all the Muslims in Tucson. Hasan wrote, “I agree with the President that all Americans, regardless of faith backgrounds, need to work together to stamp out the extremism and terrorism in this country, also regardless of which race or religion this terrorism comes from.”

“It is not the responsibility of Muslims or Muslim organizations to condemn actions committed by people who claim to follow the same faith. No person is responsible for apologizing for the actions of another,” wrote Mr. Hasan. “The ICT condemns the actions of the San Bernardino shooters and all acts of terrorism because of the utter absence of humanity in these actions. Not because the ICT feels any responsibility for the actions of these people.”

In his speech on Sunday, the President called for Congress to vote on the authorization of military action. When asked if the organization supported the President’s speech, Hasan, a student at the University of Arizona according to his Linkedin profile wrote, “The president mentioned in his speech that the vast majority of victims to terrorism are indeed Muslims. Protesters in England have been organizing to encourage Parliament to cease their bombing of Syria because the many victims of these strikes are the same innocent people who these bombs are supposed to protect. Increasing the US presence of drone strikes would add to the number of civilian casualties in far greater number than it would reduce or slow down ISIS.”

When asked if the organization was doing anything to help law enforcement identify threats to the welfare of the Tucson community, Mr. Hasan wrote, “The ICT has worked closely with police in Tucson, especially after the Paris attacks to make sure hate crimes did not affect members of our community. We will continue our work to inform people of the true peaceful message Islam brings to society and with our brothers and sister in humanity to help bring an end to intolerance and hatred.”

The Islamic Community Center of Phoenix posted on Facebook only. The post reads: Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims of ‪#‎SanBernardino‬. After the Paris massacre, the group featured a lecture by Imam Mahmoud Sulaiman in which he condemned ISIS “in the light of the true guidance of the Quran in commanding goodness and forbidden wickedness.”

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