To the editor,
The Muslim Community of Rochester, N.Y., condemns the most deadly, horrific attack targeting that nation’s Christian minority community. A pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up Sunday (Sept. 22) at a church in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, killing more than 80 people. It is a barbarous and un-Islamic and a non-religious act. The Quran, Islam’s revealed book, stands for protection of churches, synagogues and mosques and places of all worship and the people who worship there. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, and we offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured. No cause, faith or ideology could ever excuse such barbarity. The perpetrators of these acts of terror must be brought to justice.
We were pleased to see that the Muslim community stood along with the Christian community at Peshawar in condemnation of this evil attack, burying the dead together, mourning for three days. Such attacks have happened on mosques in Pakistan also.
We, the Muslim Community of Rochester, urge the Government of Pakistan to take appropriate measures in safeguarding the places of worship in the future.
Muhammad Shafiq, PhD
Chair, the Imams Council of Rochester Area
Imam Shamsuddin Ali
Secretary of the Imams Council of Rochester Area
