Wednesday, 27 July 2005.

To: Imams of Mosques & Islamic Centres

Presidents of Islamic Societies

Chairmen of State Islamic Councils

Islamic Leaders & Prominent Muslims

Leaders of Muslim Youth and Women’s Groups

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

TERRORISM & VIOLENCE IN OUR MIDST – AN OPEN LETTER

The events of the past two weeks have not only shaken us all but have brought home to all of us the real potential for violence and terrorism on our doorstep in Australia. The London bombings were not expected and the possibility of such acts in Australia cannot be discounted. There is no evidence of any immediate threat but we cannot ignore the reality of the situation facing us all.

The vast majority of Muslims in Australia and indeed globally do not support acts of violence and terrorism. We all know that Islam promotes peace and harmony in society and is opposed to any kind of violence and terrorism. We all have condemned the violent actions of September 11, Bali bombings, the Madrid bombings, the recent London bombings as well as the unjust and illegal war in Iraq and the daily killing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kashmir, Palestine and other parts of the Middle East.

It is our conviction that sentiments expressed by us are shared by all Australian Muslims and indeed globally when we say that there is no justification for acts of violence against innocent persons. Nothing can justify the taking of innocent lives whether they are American, British, Australian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Afghani, Kashmiri or Israeli. The Holy Qur’an (5:32), says, “to take an innocent life is as if you have taken the lives of the whole of humanity and to save one life is as if you have saved the whole of humanity.” Those who engage in murdering innocent persons will have their reckoning with God.

We are concerned that there are many serious and unresolved conflicts around the globe and the Middle East in particular which involve Muslim peoples. There is a need to resolve these conflicts, which are based on political issues and not on religious differences. The international community needs to also recognise that terrorists are using these conflicts as excuses for their actions and any global fight against terrorism cannot ignore these political conflicts. Let us find peaceful means of addressing these issues.

There are some among Muslims who question the role played by Muslims in the recent acts of terrorism including September 11. There are a few who blame the West for those terrorist acts. This view is misguided and totally unhelpful. Muslims cannot put their heads in the sand and pretend that this is all a conspiracy theory. The reality is that those acts of violence and terrorism did take place and Muslims have been implicated in those acts.

These acts of terrorism have brought focus on Islam and Muslims and we are under the scrutiny of the whole world. Our faith, its teachings and principles are being wrongly questioned as supporting these acts of violence and terrorism. Large numbers of Muslims believe that the so called war on terrorism is actually a war against Islam and Muslims by the West. The Muslim youth is no longer an ignorant group and is well aware of the global politics that has been taking place for the past 50 years. They are accusing the West of double standards in global politics and lack of justice for the sufferings of the Islamic world and the immorality of military attacks against Islamic nations. The Muslim youth is increasingly radicalised in this environment which has nothing to do with religious diversities.

We have chosen to make Australia our home and yet our loyalty to Australia is unjustifiably questioned. We are asked to choose between our faith (religion) and Australia and we hope that we do not have to make the choice as we love both.

Islam says that there is no compulsion in religion and therefore no one can be forced to convert to Islam or any religion. People must always have the freedom in this matter. The Holy Qurán and the Prophet (pbuh) taught Muslims to respect the rights of others to their beliefs.

We are aware that there are a number of individuals and groups in the Muslim community who are accused of preaching intolerance and hatred of others. It is true that the language that is frequently used is inflammatory which only helps to strengthen the stereotypes against Islam and Muslims. As leaders of the Muslim community we have the utmost duty to act with responsibility and to ensure that our actions and deeds are beyond reproach.

There is a growing and justifiable criticism that we are not doing enough to deal with extremist individuals and groups within the Muslim community. We are aware of the danger that looms ahead for our vulnerable and impressionable youth. Even some of our local Imams are accused of inciting hatred and intolerance. We frequently have visiting overseas Imams who are not properly scrutinised and brought to Australia by new and emerging groups and individuals who are unknown in the community.

The picture that we have tried to paint is a real picture of the situation in Australia. We cannot delude ourselves and pretend that everything is OK. It is not and we have to become realistic about the situation facing the Muslims in this country.

As your colleagues, we appeal to all Muslims – our Imams, religious leaders, prominent Muslims, Muslim youth leaders, Muslim Women’s groups and indeed all Muslims to unite together to deal with the realities of the day. It is time to disown and denounce terrorism and violence in no uncertain terms, a time to act and to win back the hearts and minds of our youth and to continue the ongoing efforts to build a culture of peace and harmony in Australia, to make Australia and indeed the whole world a truly peaceful and safe haven for humanity.

We extend our warmest regards to all and pray for God’s blessings upon all citizens of Australia and for peace and security around the globe.

Dr Ameer Ali, Mufti Tag El Din El Hilali,

PRESIDENT. MUFTI OF AUSTRALIA.

This letter has also been endorsed by :

Shafiq Rahman Abdallah,

PRESIDENT of Australian Islamic Culture Centre of Australia.

For further information please contact;

Dr Ameer Ali 0405 151 540

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