A statement was released by a number of Muslims organisations on the 11th September about the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. 

BRITISH MUSLIMS STAND IN SOLIDARITY 

9/11 STATEMENT

As the tenth anniversary of the atrocities of September 11th 2001 draws closer, we wish to take this opportunity to come together to reiterate our profound sympathy for the victims of the attacks in the US. We also honour the memory of all victims of terrorism in all nations around the world.

The last ten years have not been easy. Tragically, we have seen thousands more people from all walks of life become victims of terrorism. We have also seen the impact of the conflicts resulting from 9/11 in different parts of the Muslim world and experienced the terrible consequences of acts of terror here in Britain on 7th July 2005. The recent tragic events in Oslo show us that terrorists still continue to plan and carry out attacks against people regardless of their race, religion, gender or social circumstance.

As a community we have rejected the terrorists, the emptiness of their words and the futility of their actions. They have nothing to offer the world. Those who seek to divide society have failed. Indeed, their destructive actions have only brought communities closer together. Their message that terrorism is the only way to achieve change has been rejected by ordinary citizens standing in peaceful protest for greater political participation and freedom across the Middle East and North Africa.

Ten years on from the 9/11 attacks, our communities are growing stronger and more resilient. Communities have come together to find common ground and resolve differences. For those of us who are Muslims, our faith gives us hope– a hope shared by people of all faiths and of none – for a world free from terror and injustice.

Now is the time to look to the future with greater optimism. Our common humanity, our spirit of community, the values we share as human beings, will give us the strength to confront those who seek to divide rather than unite us, now and in the future. We will continue to stand together in troubled times, not just against terrorism but against all forms of criminality that pervade our society – as we saw during the riots that spread across the UK in recent weeks. Only together can we defeat such problems. Only together can we work to build communities whose unity honours the memory of the victims of September 11th and victims of conflicts and terror around the world.

Signed by:

Radical Middle Way
Islamic Society of Britain
Inspire
Ahlul Bayt TV
Al-Khoei Foundation
An-Nisa Society
Association of British Muslims (AOBM)
Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML)
Ayesha Community Education
Bristol Muslim Women’s Network
British Muslim Forum (BMF)
British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD)
BritSlam Partnership
Canopus Consulting
CENTRI
City Circle
Embrace Foundation
Federation of Muslim Organisations
Harlesden Islamic Cultural Centre
Help Somalia Foundation
Hosseinieh Foundation, Bristol
International Forum For Islamic Dialogue
International Imam Hussein Council
Iraqi Welfare Association
Islamic Circles
JIMAS
Karimia Institute
Khayaal Theatre Company
Khazra Central Mosque, Glasgow
Leeds Makkah Masjid
Leicester Central Mosque
Light of Guidance Theatre
London Academy of Iranian Studies (LAIS)
London Fatwa Council
MAWAH, London (Muslim Active Women Around Hounslow)
Mecca 2 Medina
Milton Keynes Arts and Culture Organisation
Minhaj-ul-Quran International, UK
Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Muslim Youth Association (MYA)
Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH)
Noor Trust
Pakistan Community Centre, Willesden, London
Ramadhan Foundation
Rabita Ltd
Sefydliad Materion Mwslemaidd Cymru (Wales Institute for Muslim Affairs)
Shia Professionals of London
Sri Lanka Islamic Forum UK (SLIF UK)
Somali Family Support Group London (SFSG)
The Leaf Network
The Muslim College
The Salam Project
The Zahra Trust
UK Islamic Mission (UKIM)
World Islamic Mission
Young Muslims Advisory Group (YMAG)

Notes:

1. Established in 1889, the Association of British Muslims is the oldest extant organisation of Muslims in the UK. The Association of British Muslims affirms the equal worth of all human beings, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, creed, sexual orientation or ability. We believe that critical thinking is essential to spiritual development. We repudiate militarism and violence, whether on an individual, organisational or national level. We embrace religious pluralism and the diversity of inspirations that motivate people to embrace social justice.

For media enquiries please contact Paul Salahuddin Armstrong on +44 (0) 741 356 7229; email: press@aobm.org; website: www.aobm.org.

2. Inspire is a UK based award winning consultancy helping Muslim women to reach their full potential in life. Ultra-conservative theological interpretations of a woman’s role have become a barrier to many Muslim women today. Inspire challenges these interpretations with a progressive and contemporary interpretation of Islam within the context of 21st century Britain.

For media enquiries please contact Tahmina Saleem on +44 (0) 770 806 5150; email: info@wewillinspire.com; website: www.wewillinspire.com.

3. ISB is a national not-for-profit community-based organisation set up in 1990 to support new generations of Muslims growing up in the UK. It seeks to evolve a uniquely British flavour of Islam and encourages Muslims to engage positively with the wider British society. Dilwar Hussain of the Policy Research Centre was recently elected the organisation’s new President.

For media enquiries please contact Julie Siddiqi, Executive Director, on +44 (0) 7956 132035; website: www.isb.org.uk.

4. Radical Middle Way are a grassroots initiative aimed at young British Muslims, founded following the 7/7 attacks. They aim to promote a mainstream, moderate understanding of Islam that young people can relate to and provide a safe place for people to ask difficult questions and explore challenging issues. By working alongside grassroots partners, they create platforms for open debate, critical thinking and deep spiritual reflection. They run public lectures, seminars, workshops and facilitate dialogue with Islamic scholars. They use religious and intellectual arguments to form a counter narrative and have national and international reach, having run programmes and events in the UK, Pakistan, Sudan, Indonesia, Mali and Morocco.

For media enquiries please contact Fuad Nahdi, Executive Director on +44 (0) 7791066572; website: www.radicalmiddleway.org.