Joint Statement: Muslim Leaders Condemn US Airstrike

The below is a non-partisan open statement signed by Muslim Imams, scholars and activists from various schools of thought and organizations in predominantly English-speaking countries to condemn the killing of hundreds of innocent men, women and children in Iraq due to US coalition-led airstrikes in March.

The statement is as follows:

On behalf of the Muslim community in Canada, UK, USA and elsewhere, we, the undersigned, want to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends involved in the U.S. airstrikes on Iraqi civilians which resulted in the massacre of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children in Iraq.

We unequivocally say that such acts of state terror only worsen the situation and fuel tensions. As Muslims, we believe that all human beings have the right to safety and security and that each and every human life is inviolable.

We encourage all people to learn more about Islam, specifically the Qur’an and the way and life of the Prophet Muhammad , as education is a vital part of developing peace, guidance, and understanding in our world today.
Signed:

• AbdulAziz Rasoul, i3 institute, Canada
• Abdullah Andalusi, Muslim Debate Initiative, UK
• Abdullah Ayaz Mullanee, Mathabah Institute, Canada
• Abdullah Hakim Quick, Islamic Institute of Toronto, Canada
• Abdullah Hatia, Halton Islamic Association, Canada
• AbdulMalik Mohammad, Ilmster Seminars, Canada
• Abdul Wahid, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, UK
• Abu Eesa Niamatullah, 1st Ethnical, UK
• Adnan Rashid, Hittin Institute, UK
• Akbar Khoja, Rethinking Ismailism, Canada
• Alaa ElSayed, ISNA, Canada
• Aly Hindy, Salaheddin Centre, Canada
• Anwar Chowdhury, Documenting Corruption and Oppression Against Muslims, Canada
• Asim Khan, Sabeel Institute, UK
• Azad Ali, MEND, UK
• Basil Amjad Khan, Akhirah Cirles, Canada
• Bassam Zawadi, Call To Monotheism, Canada
• Bilal Ismail, Imam Developent Project, South Africa
• Daniel Haqiqatjou, MuslimMatters, USA
• Dilly Hussain, 5 Pillars, UK
• Ehsaan Ansari, Khadija Centre, Canada
• El-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan, The Aafia Foundation, USA
• Farina Siddiqui, Muslim Moms Network, Canada
• Farooq Khan, North American Muslim Foundation, Canada
• Feras Marish, Dar Foundation, Canada
• Hacene Chebbani, Islamic Information Society of Calgary, Canada
• Haitham Al-Haddad, Islamic Council of Europe, UK
• Ibrahim Fayaz, Baitil Jannah Islamic Centre, Canada
• Ibrahim Hindy, Dar Al-Tawheed, Canada
• Iqbal Al-Nadvi, ICNA, Canada
• Jalil Popalzai, Subhan Masjid, Canada
• Kamil Ahmad, IOU, Canada
• Kosser Abu Zahra, Newham Community Activist UK
• Malik Datardina, AwareMuslim, Canada
• Mamoun Hassan, Islamic Centre of Clarington, Canada
• Mazin AbdulAdhim, Hizbut Tahrir, Canada
• Moazzam Begg, Cage, UK
• Mohamad Osta, i3 institute, Canada
• Mohammad Auwal, CSU Communication Studies, USA
• Muhammad Mu’adham, Sydney, Australia
• Musleh Khan, Islamic Institute of Toronto, Canada
• Nouman Ali Khan, QuranWeekly, USA
• Omar Hajaj, Yaseen Youth
• Omar Subedar, Mathabah Institute, Canada
• Omar Suleiman, Yaqeen Institute, USA
• Raza Nadim, MPAC, UK
• Sadat Anwar, Muslim Debate Initiative, Canada
• Salman Butt, Islam21C, UK
• Sarfraaz Ahmed, Standard Bearers, India
• Shady AlSulaiman, Australian National Imams Council, Australia
• Shakeel Begg, Lewisham Islamic Centre, UK
• Sharif Abu Laith, HT Britain, UK
• Sheharyar Shaikh, Kingston Masjid, Canada
• Suliman Gani, Al Khaleel Institute, UK
• Suwed Stephen, Isizwe Islamic Centre, South Africa
• Syed Iqbal, NYM INK, Canada
• Tabasum Hussain, Muslim Debate Initiative, Canada
• Taji Mustafa, Hizbut Tahrir, UK
• Uthman Lateef, Hittin Institute, UK
• Yasir Qadhi, MuslimMatters, USA
• Yawar Baig, Standard Bearers, India
• Younus Kathrada, Muslim Youth of Victoria, Canada
• Yusuf Badat, Mathabah Institute, Canada
• Zahid Akhtar, Documenting Oppression Against Muslims (DOAM), UK
• Zahir Mahmood, As-Suffa Institute, UK

References to airstrikes in mainstream media:

Coalition says it hit Mosul site where civilians died

U.S. military confirms airstrike on Mosul area ‘corresponding’ to reports of civilian casualties

US military investigating if airstrikes caused nearly 300 civilian deaths

Notes:

This statement is independent of any one organization, MuslimMatters.org has published it for information purposes. All are free to replicate it faithfully and disseminate elsewhere.

The statement purposely mirrors the language of a joint statement condemning the Orlando shooting which got widespread coverage last year, giving Muslim leaders and representatives an opportunity to speak out against bad decisions made by their own governments in an open and non-controversial way.

The names are listed in alphabetical order with the otherwise deserved titles and prefixes (Shaikh, Imam, Dr, and so on) of many of the esteemed scholars omitted so as to maintain independence and non-partisanship as much as possible.

If you are an Imam, scholar or activist and would like to sign the petition, please email muslimsprotecting@gmail.com with your name or kunya you would like displayed.