Muslims of Salt Lake Condemn all Violence

Salt Lake City, 2009-07-01

After a week of senseless slaughter, it shames humanity to see the reluctance by so many in uniting for the perseverance of human dignity and life, even by sacrificing something as simple as a mere positive thought or prayer. America, as the leader of peace, must not let nations resort to anarchy and disorder. As the super-power of the world, we must never allow any people to hold international laws hostage in exchange for self-gain and pity in order to trespass the boundaries of justice. As a bearer of peace, and as a nation of honor, the United States cannot let anyone exhort to carnage and massacre when it matters most; such does not befit a leader, repudiating the laws of international justice and fairness. Humans, regardless of country or status remain too precious to undergo subjugation and humiliation by fellow counterparts’ as humanity looks on. Every nation lives to protect its boundaries. Doesn’t being silent or inactive in facilitating greater levels of human security perpetuate violence? By being onlookers, we only harvest greater loss of human sanctity.

Muslims, like the rest of humanity, challenge and urge our current administration and President-elect Obama to pursue a fair-minded commitment to being a stabilizing force. It would behoove people who aspire to being great leaders to facilitate a global attitude of prohibiting continuous violence, and to give genuine confidence to vigorous policy-making that would reduce violence while upholding policies of continual peace and justice for all nations.

Muslims do realize that the United States does not deny the ideas of peace and freedom, Muslims also do not denounce the use of fair and justifiable force for all nations. America as a global leader should never sanction excessive force for the short-term benefit of any nation, and we should continue taking a proactive stance in denouncing violence upon the innocent, regardless of one’s religious affiliation.

As a final thought, the Muslim community urges people of conscience, who abhor senseless carnage, to keep the civilians of this tragedy that is unfolding before our eyes in their prayers. Let’s not be bystanders to injustice. There is every reason to believe that we, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, can change the world for the better through prayer and positive action. To quote a man who recently made history, “yes, we can!”

Muhammed S. Mehtar (Imaam)

Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake