Condemnation and Prayers

The International Ahmadiyya Muslim Community strongly condemns the attacks in Paris and we are praying for the victims and their families. Our Worldwide Spiritual Leader, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad offered his condolences to the people of France and continues to denounce all form of violence. His words of condemnation can be seen during each station break on www.mta.tv/live, the twenty-four hour satellite television station of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Speaking from London, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has said:

“On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide, I express my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the French nation, its people and government following the heinous terrorist attacks that have taken place in Paris. This brutal and inhumane attack can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

I would also like to reiterate that all forms of terrorism and extremism are completely against the true teachings of Islam. The Holy Quran has said that to kill even one innocent person is akin to killing all of mankind. Thus under no circumstances can murder ever be justified and those who seek to justify their hateful acts in the name of Islam are serving only to defame it in the worst possible way.

Our sympathies and prayers are with the victims of these attacks and all those who have been left bereaved or affected in any way. May God Almighty grant patience to them all and I hope and pray that perpetrators of this evil act are swiftly brought to justice.”

Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Senior Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA said, “While we await additional information about the attackers and their motives, we condemn any attempt to justify the killing of innocent lives. We stand committed to restoring peace.” Ahmadi Muslims will continue our campaign of peaceful words and humanitarian actions because we know the Qur’an states, “...whosoever killed a person...it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind” (Qur’an 5:33). During his Farewell Pilgrimage address, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Even as this month, land and day of Pilgrimage are holy, so has God made the blood, property, and honor of every human being sacred.”

Let us avoid associating the terrorist attacks in Paris with the peaceful religion of Islam as we continue to bring the message of non-violence to all victims of injustice and cruelty. Grieving families need sympathy and prayers. France needs support through the process of healing and promoting security. In this time of shock let us citizens of the world remember to be vigilant in praying for peace and not react to extremism with extreme thoughts or actions.