ADAMS Condemns the Terrorist Crimes Against Humanity Against the Christian Community in Gojra, Pakistan

In the Name of God, The Compassionate, The Merciful

All Dulles Area Muslim Society(ADAMS)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/03/2009

The All Dulles Area Muslim Society(ADAMS) Condemns the terrorist crimes against humanity against the Christian community in Gojra, Pakistan. Our hearts, thoughts, and sympathies are with all the victims and the families of the victims. We are very saddened by these horrible deaths, the burning of the houses, and the burning of a Church. We hope that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes will be brought to justice. We hope that Christian Minority in Pakistan receives security, protection, and justice. We must work to help bring about PEACE and bring an end to terrorism, extremism, and conflict.

Excerpts From A Pakistani Newspaper, Dawn: Violence had broken out in a Gojra village after an alleged incident of desecration of the Holy Quran during a wedding ceremony. The incident triggered two days of violence in which a mob torched a large number of houses, burning seven people alive. Gojra city police have arrested more than 65 people for their alleged involvement in the violence. Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, who visited the violence-hit town on Sunday, promised to pay compensation to the affected families. 'We have identified those who attacked. They are terrorists, these people want to destabilize our country,' he told reporters.

Islam holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a grave sin. ADAMS states clearly that those who commit acts of murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him.

On January 21, 2006, ADAMS partnered with the Sangla Hill Rebuilding Coalition to raise money to rebuild the Churches burned by mobs in Sangla Hill, Pakistan.

Observer News: Rebuilding Faith: Area Muslims Raise Money for Destroyed Churches in Pakistan
http://www.observernews.com/stories/current/news/011306/ADAMS.html

Daily Times: ADAMS Member efforts to Rebuild Churches in Sangla Hill
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\01\04\story_4-1-2006_pg7_58

Please see ADAMS Statement on Condemning Terrorism and Fatwa Against Terrorism
http://www.adamscenter.org/Media/Articles/ADAMSCondemnsTerrorism.aspx

Please see more about ADAMS
http://www.adamscenter.org/Media/MediaCenter/Default.aspx

All Dulles Area Muslim Society(ADAMS) is one of the largest Muslim communities/mosques in the DC Metro Area and in the United States. ADAMS is a non profit 501c(3) Organization. ADAMS serves over 5000 families and has 7 branches(Sterling/Herndon, Tysons Corner, Fairfax, Reston, Leesburg, Ashburn, and South Riding) in Northern Virginia. ADAMS Center is governed by a 13-member democratically elected board of trustees comprising of men and women. ADAMS engages in regular interfaith, government relations, social services, and community service. ADAMS has one of the largest Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout programs in the DC Metro area.