CAIR Condemns Church Attacks in Egypt, Nigeria

U.S. Muslim group asks authorities to bring perpetrators to justice

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned both a New Year's Day attack on a church in Egypt and a series of attacks on churches in Nigeria.

SEE: Alexandria Church Bomb: Egypt Police on High Alert

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12107084

Church Burned in Nigeria: Police

http://tinyurl.com/27vsxhq

In a statement, CAIR said:

"We condemn the heinous attacks on churches in Egypt and Nigeria and repudiate the apparent motive of the perpetrators to harm long-term relations between Muslims and Christians. We offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured and call on authorities in both nations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The best response to these cowardly attacks is to redouble efforts to build bridges of understanding between faiths.

"Islamic principles mandate good relations with people of other faiths and encourage constructive interfaith dialogue. As the Quran, Islam's revealed text states: '(Rest assured that) those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians, and the Sabians - whoever believes in God and the last day and performs good deeds - will be rewarded by their Lord. They will have nothing to fear or to regret.' (The Holy Quran, 2:62)

"The Quran also states: 'Say: 'We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is to Him that we surrender ourselves.'" (The Holy Quran, 2:136)

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-744-7726, +1-202-488-8787, [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations