On Tuesday, Belgian citizens became the latest victims of yet another terror attack carried about by the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Authorities in Brussels said 36 people died in explosions at a metro station and Brussels Airport.
Since the attacks, GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump reaffirmed his Muslim ban pledge by saying the US needs to shut down its borders and his Republican rival Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas called for tough surveillance of all Muslim communities, which prompted New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton to say that “Cruz doesn’t what the hell he’s talking about.”
Muslim Americans have joined in condemning the latest attacks, as they did when civilians were murdered in Paris last November and in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this year. On Long Island those views have been spelled out in an open letter from leaders at the Selden Mosque who decried violence perpetrated in the name of Islam. The following has been edited for clarity:
The congregants, Imam, Board of Trustees and the Executive committee of Islamic Association of Long Island from The Selden Mosque (The Oldest Mosque of Long Island) are saddened and strongly condemn the Belgium terror attack that killed 36 and seriously injured more than 200 innocent people Tuesday.
The Terrorist group ISIS which, took responsibility for the attacks, must be brought to justice. We urge the international community to stand together against all extremist groups. We call for international cooperation against all types of barbarism, terrorism, and murders of innocent civilians anywhere in the world. According to International Business Times, 1.5 million Muslims have signed a Fatwa, issued by a very large number of Muslim scholars, condemning the violence and barbarism committed by ISIS.
We call for international solidarity against all types of terrorism and brutality. No act of terrorism should be tolerated.
The savage and despicable attacks on civilians are outrageous. We condemned these horrific crimes in the strongest terms possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved one of those killed and seriously injured, and we stand together with the people of Belgium in the time of sorrow.
The perpetrators of these heinous attacks must be apprehended as quickly as possible and must face justice. Their crimes are crimes against humanity and Islam. These so called jihadist are a group of sick-minded people, who only represent themselves, and must be stopped at any cost.
We stand in solidarity with our fellow Americans, in defense and security of our country.
Islamic Association of Long Island
The Selden Mosque (The Oldest Mosque of Long Island)
