Jim writes:

> The way to deal with killers is to kill them.  That is Biblical.

That's certainly true for one interpretation of the Old Testament. I'm always 
surprised how many Christians so readily and so wholeheartedly adopt this 
philosophy, given that Jesus himself so forcefully rejected it.

Christianity certainly has no monopoly on the virtues of tolerance, charity 
and brotherhood. In that regard, these are a few of the news items from just 
today's International Islamic News Agency:

========================================

Saudi grand mufti denounces terror attacks

Riyadh, Jamad Al-Thani 28, 1422/September 16, 2001 (IINA) – Saudi Arabia’s 
grand mufti has strongly condemned last week’s attacks against US 
installations in New York and Washington and said the perpetrators of the 
terrorist act will face the wrath of God. In a statement issued here, Sheikh 
Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh said such attacks were totally against the teachings of 
Islam.

“The recent incident in the United States including the hijacking of planes, 
terrorizing of innocent people and killing others without strong reason 
constitute a major crime which cannot be tolerated by Islam,” said Sheikh 
Abdul Aziz, who is also chairman of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars.

“The Muslims who are aware of the teachings of their religion and who abide 
by the directives of the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet (peace be upon him) will 
never involve themselves in such criminal acts. Because such acts will cause 
the anger of the Almighty and will lead to injustice and corruption on the 
earth,” he said. 

Sheikh Abdul Aziz urged Islamic scholars to tell the world that Islam will 
never tolerate or endorse such terrorist attacks. He quoted the verses from 
the Holy Qur’an and Sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) which prohibit Muslims from 
doing injustice to others and killing people without any strong reason.

The Saudi Islamic leader urged international media to stop defaming Islam and 
Muslims by linking them with terrorism. “These anti-Islam campaigns are aimed 
at tarnishing the image of Islam and rousing the feelings of people against 
the Muslim community. Any sane person knows that Islam should be branded with 
such terms and qualifications,” the Saudi grand mufti said.

GA/IINA

========================================

ISESCO condemns terrorist attacks

Rabat, Jamad Al-Thani 28, 1422/September 16, 2001 (IINA) – The Islamic 
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has condemned 
Tuesday’s airborne attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the 
Pentagon in Washington as “criminal terrorist acts.”

The ISESCO voiced its condemnation in a letter to the US Embassy in Rabat. 
“ISESCO reiterates its profound condemnation of such criminal terrorist acts 
which run counter to the teachings of the revealed religions. They are 
utterly inconsistent with the human values, sound ethics and international 
law,” the organization said.

“Islam fully rejects all forms of terrorism, violence and aggression directed 
against innocent people,” the letter said. Dr. Abdul Aziz Othman Altwaijri, 
director general of ISESCO, has previously condemned the attacks in an 
interview with the French AFP news agency.

Altwaijri has extended his condolences to the American government, people and 
families of the victims.

GA/IINA 

========================================

CAIR begins public relations campaign

Washington, Jamad Al-Thani 28, 1422/September 16, 2001 (IINA) – The Council 
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based advocacy group, has 
embarked on a major public relations campaign to improve the image of Islam 
in the United States.

According to a statement issued by CAIR, the campaign which is to cost at 
least $3 million, also aims at offsetting the media and public pressure on 
Arabs and Muslims in the US in the wake of the terrorist attacks against the 
World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

“We have already started a campaign to project the real message of Islam and 
the positive role of Muslims in America,” the statement said. 

As part of a campaign to promote a positive image of Islam, CAIR has 
purchased a full-page advertisement with the following text that will appear 
in the Washington Post on Sunday (September 16). Similar advertisements have 
been planned for USA Today and the New York times.

”We at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), along with the 
entire American Muslim community, are deeply saddened by the massive loss of 
life resulting from the tragic events of September 11th.
American Muslims unequivocally condemn these vicious and cowardly acts of 
terrorism.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of 
those who have been killed or injured.
We also extend our gratitude to the all the heroic fire-fighters, police 
officers and emergency medical workers who continue to risk their lives in 
the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.

We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and 
punishment of the perpetrators of these crimes. May we all stand together 
through these difficult times to promote peace and love over violence and 
hate.”

GA/IINA

========================================

UAE Khateebs condemn terrorism

Abu Dhabi, Jamad Al-Thani 28, 1422/September 16, 2001 (IINA) – The United 
Arab Emirates has emphasized that Islam prohibits all forms of terrorism. The 
UAE made this comment in a joint Juma sermon prepared by the Ministry of 
Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. The sermon was delivered by Khateebs 
at all UAE mosques last Friday.

“Islam is a religion of peace, love and brotherhood. It rejects terrorism and 
considers those involved in terrorist acts as warriors against Allah and His 
Prophet (peace be upon him).

The Juma speech circulated among the UAE mosques also said that Allah has 
ordered tough punishment such as execution for those who are convicted of 
terrorist acts. “Islam and Muslims do not accept the terrorist attacks that 
have taken place in the United States last week because Islam rejects racial 
hatred and prohibits killing of innocent people,” it added.

“Islam has reached the peak of humaneness when it declared that killing of an 
innocent person is tantamount to killing of humanity at large,” the sermon 
said. It also quoted a number of verses from the Holy Qur’an which condemns 
terrorism and triggering corruption on the earth.

GA/IINA

========================================

These statements are not mere propaganda. Rather they are the most deeply 
held beliefs of a billion and a quarter people, approximately 1/5th of all of 
the world's people. The shock, sadness and dismay that they now feel forms 
the real power behind the possibility that Tuesday's form of terrorism can be 
greatly eliminated from the earth, not our weapons or our belligerent 
actions. Indeed, we are now at one of those rare turning points in the course 
of world affairs, and if we do this wrongly, we can make things much, much 
worse for the next fifty years.

Wirt Atmar

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