STATEMENT ON INCIDENT AT LONDON MUSLIM MOSQUE
For Immediate Release – London, Ontario – March 19th, 2017
This afternoon, a young man entered the London Muslim Mosque during a prayer service, looking for food and assistance. After being provided with some food, he persisted in his asks. During a verbal confrontation, the situation escalated and he made threats to those present. Staff and volunteers at the Mosque have been trained to call London Police in any circumstance where there is any suggestion of a security threat, and this protocol was followed.
We thank the London Police for their swift response. An unarmed man was taken into Police custody shortly after 1:30pm.
At this time, the London Muslim Mosque is not treating this as hate motivated and believes there is no ongoing threat to the Mosque.
The London Muslim Mosque thanks Mayor Brown and community leaders for reaching out to the Mosque.
The Mosque is currently open and operating under normal schedule.
For any further information please contact the London Police.
Nawaz Tahir
Spokeperson,
London Muslim Mosque
Muslim Community Condemns Recent Attacks in Baghdad, Dhaka, Istanbul and Medina Muslim Community
For Immediate Release – London, Ontario – July 5, 2016
The Muslim community in London and region are united in condemnation of the horrific attacks in Baghdad, Dhaka, Istanbul and Medina this week. The death of innocent civilians, Muslim or non-Muslim, always leaves us all with a heavy heart and our prayers are directed to the deceased and their families. These ongoing terrorist attacks against innocent victims, including children, are a heinous crime against humanity. These latest attacks are particularly disturbing in that they happened during the month of Ramadan, where Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during the day and focus on spirituality and charity
The attack in Medina occurred just outside the Mosque where the Prophet Muhammed is buried - the second holiest site in Islam. "By attacking the Prophet's Mosque and killing people during the holy month of Ramadan, the perpetrator(s) could not have scripted a more direct path to an eternal resting place of everlasting fire, and deservedly so," states Nawaz Tahir, Chair of Hikma, a local advocacy group for London's Muslim community. The fact that ISIS (or Daesh as they are increasing being called, to delegitimize their self-identity) are so relentless in their crimes against people of all religions, including Muslims, confirms that they cannot be acting according to any form of Islam. They are the enemy of all of humanity, Muslims included. True followers of Islam know that the Quran teaches Muslims to value the sanctity of life. Islam unequivocally condemns such acts of injustice against innocent individuals. The Quran states that if someone is to take the life of another, it is as if that person killed all people, and if a person saves a life, then it is as if that person has saved all people (5:32).
These attacks serve as a reminder to those who use political rhetoric against Muslims that in fact, Muslims are the biggest victims of terrorist activity. "To try and generalize a narrative that Islam is
religion of violence ignores the reality that around the world, the majority of the victims of these kinds of terrorist attacks are innocent Muslims," says Tahir. "Let us not forget that in Baghdad, for example, more than 175 people will never go back home, and this week, they will not celebrate the Eid holiday with their families and friends."
The London Muslim Community and NCCM Denounces Istanbul Terror Attack
For Immediate Release (June 29, 2016)
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, categorically condemns the terrorist attack on Tuesday at Istanbul's main airport in Turkey.
At least thirty-six people have been reported killed and 147 wounded from the attacks which local authorities are calling Daesh terrorism.
"Canadian Muslim communities are horrified by these ongoing acts of depraved violence. In these closing days of Ramadan, we are deeply grieved by the loss of life due to acts of terror and brutal violence in many Muslim-majority countries," says NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.
"We extend our prayers and condolences to the families of the victims, and we hope those responsible are quickly brought to justice."
The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit grassroots advocacy organization. It is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.
CONTACT: Amira Elghawaby, Communications Director, 613.254.9704 or 613.407.3834
We Stand with Paris and Global Peace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario, the London Muslim Mosque, the Muslim Association of Canada (London Chapter)
London Muslims Stand In Solidarity With Paris
London, Ontario -November 14, 2015
Muslims in London learned of yesterday’s attacks in Paris with deep sorrow and today, we join the world in mourning the horrific loss of life.
As Muslims, we stand in solidarity with the international community in condemning terror, which has no place in our world.
We further stand in solidarity with the people of France, the victims of the attack, their friends and family members.
To them, we offer to them our heartfelt prayers for justice, peace and healing. We also pray for light, guidance, and hope at this time of great darkness.
"As we come to grips with the loss of innocent lives in Paris, this is a time to reflect, to pray and to mourn”, said Imam Jamal Taleb, speaking on behalf of all of London’s Muslim organizations. “We are saddened by these acts of inhumanity."
Prayers for Beirut and Paris
Allah says in the Holy Quran,
"..whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he has saved the life of all mankind.." (5:32)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Paris and Beirut as well as all the innocent people around the globe.
#MuslimsStandWithParis
#PrayForHumanity
#StandForGlobalPeace
Visit the National Council of Canadian Muslims website or follow the link below to read NCCM's recent Press Release:
The London Muslim Community Expresses Profound Sadness over Ottawa Attack
For Immediate Release (October 23, 2014)
The London Muslim Community wishes to express its profound sadness over Wednesday’s horrific attack in Ottawa, and strongly condemns this brutal act of violence. Our condolences go out to the family of Corporal Nathan Frank Cirillo, a true Canadian hero, who lost his life while guarding one of our most hallowed monuments, the National War Memorial.
The London Muslim Community also wishes to express its gratitude to our fellow Canadians who rushed to aid Corporal Cirillo and confront the shooter. Their heroism showcased the best of what it means to be Canadian: remaining calm under fire and confronting harm head on to help one another.
The London Muslim community is unified in its condemnation and rejection of any form of radicalization and racism that may serve to fracture our society. We stand committed to working together to prevent such criminal acts from taking place in our communities. As Muslims, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of our nation, its citizens and its institutions.
Sincerely,
Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario
London Muslim Mosque
Muslim Association of Canada (London Chapter)
For additional information or comments, please contact:
Abd Alfatah Twakkal, Imam of London Muslim Mosque, at 519-872-9786.
London Muslim Community Statement
Oct 12, 2014 - We, the London Muslim Community have embraced London as our home for more than 120 years. As a community we stand firm to uphold our shared values. We reject, condemn and strongly oppose the use of violence, the threat of terror and the disregard for the sanctity of life by those who would diminish the true expression of Islam for personal or political gain. We strongly oppose and refute, based on Islamic principle, the use of violence against civilians in any form and in any place in the world. The safety of our London community and all Canadians is part of our civic duty and we stand firm in our commitment to our beliefs and our community.
Relative to the recent atrocities committed abroad by groups falsely under the name of Islam, here are some statements of condemnation by our Muslim leaders in the media:
“We’re actually clearly against these atrocious acts of merciless violence that they’re (ISIS) committing. And it’s very clear, and I’m hoping that people can see that it is very clear that this has nothing to do with Islam.
In terms of these people, we condemn the actions that they do and the ideologies that they have are not representative of Islam.
The vast majority of Muslims will stand up against this and say this is not what Islam teaches. And really it is important for them to see what the Muslim communities are doing locally and to see how they are contributing to the positive work that needs to be done in our community.
There is not a single mosque or community centre in the city of London that would ever say anything that would condone these types of actions and in fact we’re taking preventative measures to protect the people of our community from seeing this particular ideology and their actions of violence as being legitimate or justified. “
–Imam Adb Alfatah Twakkal of the London Muslim Mosque on AM980
http://www.am980.ca/2014/09/25/london-muslim-mosque-reax
–Dr. Hassan Mostafa, President of the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario, condemns ISIS and violent extremism. - London Calling with Andy Oudman September 24, 2014
–Canadian Council of Imams Statement
http://www.canadiancouncilofimams.com/2014/08/for-immediate-release-canadian-council-of-imams-warns-canadian-muslims-about-isis-and-its-deviant-nature/
–National Council of Canadian Muslims Statement
http://www.nccm.ca/nccm-endorses-and-echoes-imams-denunciation-of-isis/