FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2010
The
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati fully endorses the statement and stance of
ISNA , the leading Muslim organization in the United
States, on the attempted bombing in New York. We are thankful for the excellent
law enforcement work, leading to the apprehension of the alleged culprit.
We urge all Muslim Americans to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious
to the authorities. It is heartening to note that a Senegalese Muslim immigrant
vendor in New York, Aliou Niasse,
was one of the individuals who alerted the authorities, just like Matt Savino, the only Muslim militia member in Michigan, who
brought the Hutari activities to the notice of police,
in March this year.
Sincerely,
Inayat Malik M.D.
President, Islamic Educational Council,
Islamic Center or Greater Cincinnati.
Tel# 513 755 3280
Date:
Tue, 4 May 2010 21:17:11 -0400
Subject: ISNA Commends Efforts of Law Enforcement, Condemns Attempted Bombing
at Times Square, and Lauds Alert Citizens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ISNA Commends Efforts of Law Enforcement, Condemns Attempted Bombing at Times
Square, and Lauds Alert Citizens
Source: ISNA
(Plainfield, IN 05/04/2010) - The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins
the Muslim American community and the rest of our fellow citizens in expressing
its appreciation of the outstanding work done by the various law enforcement
agencies in investigating and apprehending the alleged perpetrator(s) of the
botched attack on New York and its residents.
At the same time, ISNA condemns in the strongest terms the planned attack on
innocent city-dwellers of every race and creed. The attack, described by the
alleged sponsors as a sort of "pay-back" or "revenge", is
"inexcusable and without any justification in Islam or authentic Muslim
tradition", said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of ISNA. "Even the
murder of a single innocent person is abhorrent and in direct contradiction to
the clear and unequivocal teachings of our faith (Quran Chapter 5,Verse 32), let alone the mass murder of unsuspecting
innocent bystanders in a crowded square", she added.
ISNA is thankful to the vigilance of alert and loyal residents of New York city
including Senegalese Muslim Aliou Niasse,
who first noticed and pointed out the suspicious smoke coming from the vehicle,
Lance Orton, who called the police, and Officers Wayne Rhatigan
and Pam Duffy for acting swiftly and courageously to contain the damage and
prevent the loss of life and limb of fellow Americans.
ISNA asks Muslim Americans to stay true to their faith in rejecting any ideas
or actions that tolerate or attempt to justify the use of terrorism for any
purpose or by any group. ISNA also calls on them to stand with their fellow
Americans in securing the homeland against any terrorist acts.
PRESS RELEASE
November 6, 2009
The Islamic Center
of Greater Cincinnati expresses its
deepest grief and shock at the horrific shooting of our soldiers at the Army
base in Fort Hood, Texas.
Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers are with those injured and with families
of those killed. Many brave men and women in our military have sacrificed their
lives in combat and now we are faced with a wanton bizarre incident claiming
innocent lives, in a place where you
would least expect it. Even though the initial reports are sketchy about the
alleged shooter, Army Major Nidal
Hasan, nothing short of total
insanity would appear to explain such an act of mass murder.
The American Muslim community is extremely proud of the
young men and women who have volunteered to dedicate their lives to the defense
of this nation and uphold its ideals. Cincinnati
Muslims share these feelings and several have served in our armed forces. We
will be asking the worshippers, at
our mosque, to offer special prayers
for the victims of this national tragedy.
Inayat Malik M.D.
President Islamic Educational
Council,
Islamic Center of
Greater Cincinnati.
West Chester, Ohio.
513 755 3280
November
30, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and the local Muslim Community
condemn the terror attacks at various sites including hotels, railway station
and the Chabad
Center in Mumbai, in the
strongest terms possible.
We share the grief and sorrow of those whose dear ones lost their lives or were
injured in these brazen, yet cowardly attacks. We are united in our common
humanity, with those striving to eliminate this scourge of terrorism,
regardless of their faith or citizenship. As the attacks on civilians in Mumbai
and before that in Islamabad
with the suicide bombing of the Marriot hotel show, the terrorists have no
regard for the sanctity of human life, any particular religion or particular
state. They cannot claim to be followers of any legitimate faith community.
We reaffirm our commitment towards realizing our goal of making Cincinnati a model
community, respectful of all faiths and ethnicities. Our prayers are with all
those affected by this immense tragedy.
Inayat Malik M.D
President Islamic Educational Council,
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati
Tel. 513 755 3280
July 30,
2006
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati
8092
Plantation Drive
West Chester, Ohio
Contact Person: Inayat Malik, MD
Telephone: (513) 755-3280
The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati
and the local Muslim community are horrified to learn of the shooting at the
Jewish Federation Office in Seattle, killing one employee and injuring several others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We offer our
heartfelt condolences to the Jewish community and condemn this heinous act as a
crime against all human beings,
Jewish, Muslim,
Christian, or otherwise.
We are glad to
see the Muslim community in Seattle
to reach out in sympathy to their Jewish neighbors. Islam teaches respect for
all innocent human life and freedom for all to practice the religion of their
choice. Episodes of violence against individuals or places of worship need to
be condemned by all in the strongest possible terms. Having been the victims of
bombings at a local mosque last December,
Cincinnati
Muslims remember with gratitude, the
broad support they received including the show of solidarity from our Jewish
friends.
We stand firm
in our conviction that peaceful dialogue and respect for differing viewpoints
and religions are key for our coexistence and progress as a multi-ethnic
society. We need to continue our work in improving interfaith relations and
promote mutual understanding.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF GREATER CINCINNATI
RE: MIDDLE EAST CRISIS
CONTACT PERSON: INAYAT K. MALIK, M.D., 513.755.3280
The recent
events in the Middle East again point out the
importance of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This conflict remains
the root cause of all the violence we see going on in the region. It is very
easy to focus on individual events. The Israelis can be rightfully outraged at
the suicide bombings and can point as provocation, to the recent attacks on the
two Israeli military units resulting in casualties and the abduction of Israeli
soldiers. The Palestinians can point to an endless list of grievances including
targeted killings, incarcerations, and ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands.
It is quite
easy to hurl blame back and forth. It does not,
however, alter the fact that in the
recent exacerbation, scores, if not hundreds,
of innocent civilians, including
children, are being killed.
Thousands are living in fear of losing their lives,
not to speak of the immense loss of property.
The world
community is watching helplessly. The United States, which is the only
superpower in the world with a chance to influence events in the area, has,
thus far, decided not to intervene and to let the events play out. In our
opinion, this is short-sighted and reinforces the false perception in the Arab
world that Arab blood is cheap in America’s eyes.
A cease-fire
needs to be earnestly arranged in the current conflict. There is no military
solution to the Middle East conflict. A
negotiated political settlement is imperative. The United States must not abandon its
leadership and must broker a deal to bring about an end to the escalating
crisis. We must not let distractions in the rest of the world get in the way of
this important task. The senseless cycle of bloodshed must be brought to an
end. As Muslims, we believe in the
sanctity of all innocent life. As Americans,
we call upon all our fellow citizens,
and in particular, all people of
faith, to work towards promoting
peace in the world.
Inayat K. Malik, M.D.
President,
Islamic Educational Council
Islamic Center
of Greater Cincinnati
Intercommunity Prayers for peace in
Darfur
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Shakila Ahmad
513-755-3280
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati
aligns with Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur consisting of numerous
community organizations to hold an interfaith prayer service calling for peace
in Darfur, Sudan, on Sunday, April 30, from
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The service at the educational building of the Islamic
Center, 8092 Plantation Drive,
West Chester, will
include prayers from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions.
Darfur is the center
of tragic chaos, where at least 400,000 people have been killed, 90 percent of
the villages have been destroyed, and more than two million people displaced.
The service, which is open to the public,
is cosponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur including the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Social Action Office,
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati,
the Isaac M. Wise Temple Political Advocacy Committee,
the American Jewish Committee,
Council on American Islamic Relations-Ohio,
St. Monica/St. George Parish Newman Center,
Muslim Mothers Against Violence, and
the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
All are
encouraged to come and be engaged. The Islamic Center will also offer short
guided tours. The West Chester prayer service will take place at the same time
as a national rally in Washington,
DC, sponsored by the Save Darfur
Coalition.
To: Christian
Peace Makers
From: Muslim
Mothers against Violence
We are deeply
shocked and saddened by the cruel and senseless murder of Christian peacemaker
Tom Fox.
May he rest in
eternal peace.
We stand with
you and support you in your quest for world peace.
From,
Saba Chughtai, Shakila Ahmad and other
members of
Muslim Mothers Against Violence.
Islamic Center
of Greater Cincinnati
Westchester OH
The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati,
on behalf of the local Muslim community, expresses its deep sorrow on hearing
the news about the killing of Tom Fox, a Christian peace activist, held hostage in Iraq. The Islamic Center had joined
many other Muslim organizations in the U. S. and the world over, in
December last year, in condemning his abduction and seeking his release. We
continue to pray for the safety of his Canadian colleagues, who are still in
captivity. Our sympathies are with Mr. Fox's family
March 11, 06
Islamic Center
of Greater Cincinnati
Contact person-
Inayat Malik
M.D.
513-755-3280
West
Chester,
Ohio
Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati Statement on Clifton Mosque Bombing (December 21,
2005)
By now, I am
sure you are all aware of the bomb explosions that occurred at the Clifton Mosque on the
evening of December 20th. Although structural damage was sustained,
no one was hurt. We are thankful to Allah (SWT) for this. No such incidents
have occurred in Cincinnati
in the past, even in the days immediately following the horrendous attacks of
September 11th.
When a
community’s place of worship becomes the subject of a bombing, it naturally
raises grave concerns regarding the physical safety of its members. It is
reassuring to see the city’s religious, civic, and political leaders, as well
as law enforcement officials all come together in support of the community. I
have spoken to Tom Streicher, Cincinnati Police Chief, and Stan Borgia, Agent
in Charge of the FBI. They both assure me that everything possible is being
done to investigate the crime and apprehend the culprits. I have also spoken
with John Bruce, West Chester Chief of Police.
He has increased security around the Islamic Center campus. We shall work
closely together to ensure safety so that all activities can continue as usual.
Unfortunately,
in our world, violence has become an easy option for those who choose to use it
as an expression of their hatred. The Islamic Center of Greater
Cincinnati has consistently and steadfastly
spoken against the use of violence in all its forms. Cincinnati, and for that
matter, our nation, must find ways to express and resolve differences in a
peaceful way if we are to claim moral leadership of the world.
America has a long
tradition of welcoming people of different faiths and ethnicities. The nation
has used its diversity as a source of strength, enrichment, and progress. We
must not permit the few hateful ones amidst us to force us to abandon our
cherished values and tarnish our image.
To members of
our Muslim community, I will say, do not let the bombings intimidate you. Go to
West Chester, Clifton,
and other mosques in the area to worship God and assert your right to practice
your religion.
To those who
committed the evil acts at Clifton,
I would say look within your hearts to find the innate goodness that God has
placed in everyone. Only mutual understanding and respect, not hate, can redeem
you. Hate is your enemy and will end up destroying you if you surrender to it.
Let our differences define us but let our common humanity unite us. May God
Almighty help and protect us all.
With Peace,
Inayat K. Malik, M.D.
President
Islamic
Educational Council
Islamic Center
of Greater Cincinnati