9/12/2012 - Statement

Release Date: 9/12/2012 12:00:00 AM
ADAMS Condemns Violence in Libya & Egypt; Denounces the Creation of a Profane Video of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) condemns and rejects the recent violence in the Middle East, resulting in the death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three staff members of the U.S. Embassy in Libya. These senseless acts reflect the continuing political turmoil since the Arab Spring, but in no way reflect true Islamic principles that forbid the killing of innocent people at any time. People of every faith must therefore separate politically motivated actions from those with a true religious basis, and preclude impulsive reactions to sensitive issues. ADAMS has consistently reiterated our Islamic belief that this type of violence is intolerable, and must cease.

ADAMS also calls on Muslims everywhere to show restraint and patience over a misguided and bizarre film depicting the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Islam in a deeply offensive manner. No amount of insult upon Islam or any other faith can affect the strength of our belief in God Almighty, and we remind Muslims that during his lifetime, the Prophet (PBUH) endured exile, insults and threats to his life, yet never returned the hatred, choosing instead to remain patient and to pray for those who attacked him. The faith of Islam is no way weakened or damaged by freedom of expression, even if that speech helps promote an agenda of hate by a minority of misled individuals.

ADAMS therefore urges all global faith communities to come together in condemning the denigrating of any religion or its practitioners, in a true spirit of mutual respect and compassion. We must all strive to prevent insulting, blasphemous and factually unethical material about any religion from being disseminated in the name of freedom of expression. While we fully support our constitutional right to free expression, we must also encourage responsible and well informed media about Islam both in the USA and abroad.

For the past decade since the horrific acts of 9/11/2001, the ADAMS community has sought to let our friends and neighbors know that we unconditionally condemn terrorism and extremism, and particularly the vicious terrorist attacks of 9/11. We continue to pray for the defeat of any extremism and all terrorism, and for the safety and security of our United States and all its people, and of all inhabitants of the planet we have shared since time immemorial. ADAMS has been and will continue to be in the forefront of activities and programs designed to promote and expand interfaith harmony, cooperation, and respect, until those concepts prevail both here at home and all around the globe.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of Ambassador Stevens and the Embassy staff in Libya. We deeply regret that their names must be added to State Department's list of those who gave their lives in the service of America, but are determined to honor their sacrifice by continuing to strive to make this world a better and more understanding place for us all. Their loss reminds us of the vital work yet to be done to support democratic change in the Middle East region. We cannot allow the actions of a few misguided individuals to impede this work, but must help ensure the safety of our servicemen and women, diplomats and other representatives, at U.S. Missions around the globe.