8 July 2005

AUSTRALIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS

“Muslims of Australia condemn the barbaric and indiscriminate attacks in London last night that caused the deaths of some 38 innocent persons and seriously injured many hundreds,” said Dr Ameer Ali, President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils from his home in Perth this morning. He added that there can be no justification whatsoever for such acts that target innocent masses. Dr Ali stressed that the religion of Islam does not preach such acts of terrorism and rightly condemns those who do so even if they are Muslims.

He joined other religious and community leaders in expressing condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the recovery of those who have been injured.

Dr Ali said that the wider Australian community should not blame the religion of Islam or the general Muslim community for the actions of the few extremists if indeed the perpetrators of the London bombing were elements of the Islamic community. “The vast majority of Australian and indeed global Muslims are also innocent victims and therefore they should not be described with the label of Islamic terrorists and the like,” said Dr Ali.

Dr Ali concluded by appealing to the international community to reconsider its so called war on terrorism as this has not reduced the threats of terrorism and violence but that such threats and incidences have continued and perhaps even increased just as the situation in Iraq. He said that there is a serious need to look at the root causes of terrorism and violence particularly those emanating from the Middle East which also have serious political overtones. Dr Ali said that the international community and indeed national governments must work with their Islamic and other communities in dealing with these issues. Governments by themselves cannot win the war against the terrorists just as the terrorists cannot be defeated with powerful weapons,” said Dr Ali.

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For further information contact

Dr Ameer Ali, President 0405 151 540.

Amjad Mehboob , CEO 0408 234 434

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