(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/26/16) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a deadly hostage-taking at a Catholic church in France, in which one priest was killed and another person was injured. The attack was reportedly committed in the name of the terror group ISIS.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“This heinous attack on a house of worship and on a man of God must be condemned and repudiated by people of all faiths worldwide. The apparent goal of the cowardly murderers is to create divisions between faiths and to breed hostility between the followers of different faiths. We must not allow the terrorists to achieve their twisted goal.”
CAIR said it condemns all such attacks on places of worship and religious gatherings, including a recent ISIS suicide bombing that killed dozens of people during a peaceful demonstration by a minority group in Afghanistan.
The Quran, Islam’s revealed text, states: “Had not God repelled some people by the might of others, the monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which God’s praise is celebrated daily, would have been utterly demolished. God will certainly help those who help His cause.” (The Holy Quran, 22:40)
In the past, CAIR has condemned similar attacks on other houses of worship.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Attack on Jerusalem Synagogue
CAIR and other American Muslim organizations have consistently and repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its forms.
SEE: CAIR’s Condemnation of Terrorism
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, ihooper@cair.com
