On Friday, March 26, 2004, the ADAMS Center in Sterling Virginia hosted a visit by Borja Montesino, Political Counselor at the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. to attend a special prayer service in memory of those who lost their lives in the recent attacks in Madrid, and to pray for peace and understanding among people of all faiths and in all countries.

Mr. Montesino, a senior career diplomat at the Spanish Embassy, represented Spanish Ambassador Javier Ruperez, who is in Spain of consultations. The prayer service was led by ADAMS Imam Mohamed Magid, and was attended by the many hundreds of Muslim men, women and children who had come to the Mosque for the regular Friday prayers, and remained afterwards to show their support for the gesture of support to those who had been killed or injured in the attacks.

Imam Magid spoke in his sermon about the need for peace between all faith and goodwill, and noted the tragedy had a major impact on the lives of everyone it has touched, no matter what their religion may be, and that we must all ask God’s help to stop this from happening again. “Nothing justifies targeting of civilians, in Spain, the United States, Iraq, Palestine, or anywhere else. This violates the word and the spirit of the Quran,” noted the Imam.

ADAMS Government Relations Chairman Robert Marro, in introducing Counsellor Montesino, also noted that Islam has never condoned violence against civilians, and in fact the Quran is quite specific in forbidding any attacks on non-combatants, even in wartime.

“Throughout history”, explained Marro, “Islam has been spread far more often by peaceful persuasion than by force of arms, and even in war, any wanton attacks on innocent civilians have been strictly forbidden. It is bitterly ironic this attack occurred in Spain, which for centuries had been a model of harmony between Muslims, Christians and Jews, the center of civilization and learning in Europe, and a conduit for dissemination of classical scientific knowledge to the West.”.

ADAMS has been involved in many interfaith activities and outreach, and has often expressed its own strong appreciation for the support of the local community when its own community members, or its facilities, have been targets of discrimination and other attacks in the past months and years. ”This event with the Spanish Embassy will show the Muslim Community is steadfast in its opposition to any activities that put innocent lives at risk,” explained Imam Magid. “I was very pleased with the many members of our community who came to speak to Mr. Montesino after the service, to personally express their sorrow and condolence for these innocent victims. I hope it will show Mr. Montesino and his colleagues and all the people in Spain that our community has the strongest sympathy with our Spanish brothers and sisters