"It is a great source of regret that such violent acts and terrorist activities continue to be associated with Islam - despite the fact they have nothing to do with Islam's true teachings."
Source/Credit: Telegraph & Argus
By David Barnett | January 9, 2015
The shocking scenes from Paris reverberated around the world. The massacre of 12 people at the offices of a French satirical magazine by gunmen shouting Islamic phrases has once again put international terrorism firmly back to the top of the agenda.
Ten of those who died were from the editorial staff of the magazine and two were police officers attending the incident.
Bradford played its part in honouring those who were killed in Wednesday's shocking scenes at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine in the French capital... and in calling for calm.
Because it is easy for such events to polarise people and shift the focus on to Islam in general rather than terrorism in particular.
Dr Mohammed Iqbal, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Bradford, said the attack had nothing to do with Islam's true teachings.
He said: "We condemn the attack on Charlie Hebdo and are deeply shocked by this atrocity that has taken 12 lives and injured scores more. We offer our condolences to the family of the victims and those left bereaved.
"It is hoped that the perpetrators of today's attack are swiftly arrested and brought to justice with the full weight of the law.
"It is a great source of regret that such violent acts and terrorist activities continue to be associated with Islam - despite the fact they have nothing to do with Islam's true teachings."
Mohammed Ajeeb was the first Asian Lord Mayor in the country, and is also a former deputy leader of the council's Labour Group.
He said: “It was a barbaric attacks which must be condemned by all fair-minded people.
"I am sure there are many moderate-minded Muslims in the UK and in Europe who would condemn the attack on this newspaper. There were legal and constitutional means to make a protest. These people cannot have an open license to kill.
“It wasn’t a random attack, it was probably well-prepared. It could be linked to French involvement in Syria. I think al Qaida, which has been weakened in Afghanistan and Pakistan is trying to make a come back, maybe join forces with Islamic State.
“The attack should be regarded as an act of criminality rather than an expression of religious belief. We need to isolate these people. There was a vigil in Bradford after the Taliban killed those 140 kids in Pakistan last year. I think there should be a public demonstration of abomination by Muslims against what happened in Paris.”
The Tricolour flew at half mast on City Hall yesterday to remember the victims of the attack.
At 11am people across the UK joined France in a moment of silence to remember the victims, who were thought to have been targeted for their satirical cartoons.
Bradford Council Leader David Green said: "We received several requests to fly the French flag to mark our solidarity with the victims of this tragic event and their families and we had no hesitation in agreeing.
"I think these horrific acts will be condemned by all right thinking people in Bradford, and it is important we show solidarity with the French people and make it clear that we stand for freedom of speech and freedom of expression within the law.
"We need to remember the victims and the principles they were espousing."
Many police officers across the area also honoured the dead by holding a minute's silence.
Nick Smart of the West Yorkshire Police Federation said: “Some officers have marked the sad occasion by paying their respects in their own way while there have been others in groups marking their respects.
“We are a worldwide family, and it is a dangerous job for those in uniform, who we have seen targeted recently. Officers have been reminded to remain vigilant.”
security was stepped up at UK ports and border controls following yesterday's terrorist atrocity in Paris.
More cars and lorries are being searched on cross-Channel routes, and a more visible security operation is in place at the Eurostar terminal in Paris at the Gare du Nord.
The measures have been put in place "on a precautionary basis" but there has been no change to the threat level in the UK, Downing Street said.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The intelligence does not suggest there is any change in the threat level here but on a precautionary basis we have tightened up border security, particularly at our juxtaposed controls.
"For example, at ports people going through them will see increased car and truck searches, a bit more scanning of freight."
Read original post here: 'Terrorism, not religion' is behind the Paris Charlie Hebdo murders
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comments. Any comments irrelevant to the post's subject matter, containing abuses, and/or vulgar language will not be approved.