Dates of Interest
Attacks on Christians in Nigeria
Published date: 27th December 2011
As we mourn the loss of life in Nigeria we are encouraged by these statements issued by UK Muslim organisations:
26th December 2011
The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) condemns the outrageous suicide terrorist attacks that targeted innocent Christian Nigerian families who were praying in their Churches on Christmas Day. Such attacks are affront to all human and religious values and aim to inspire hate and disrupt the harmony of Christian Muslim community relations, who have co-existed for centuries.
The Chair of the MINAB, Maulana Shahid Raza, OBE, said. "Such barbaric attacks, in the name of Islam on places of worship, is abhorrent and is an attack on all our religious and human values". "We stand united in offering solidarity against targeting communities in Nigeria which aims to destroy community relations and inspire hate and discord”. "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the entire Nigerian nation particularly to the bereaved and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured", he said.
The MINAB calls upon Mosques to pray for peace and harmony in Nigeria and to re-emphasis the Quranic message of protecting places of worship; challenging these extreme views which try to subvert Islam.
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Nigerian Christmas Day Bombings
The Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) condemns the bombings in Nigerian cities today which have thus far killed at least 26 people. FMO PR Officer, Suleman Nagdi said, "These heinous acts carried out on Christmas Day fill us with horror. Millions of people around the world are engaging in acts of worship and peace yet these villainous and cowardice murdersshow no regard for basic human rights and values.
"Reports have suggested the Boko Haram group have claimed responsibility for the attacks which include the murder of church goers who went in peace to celebrate and pray on Christmas Day. Christians and Muslims both revere Jesus and deplorable terrorist attacks like these show no regard for the upstanding principles which our shared, great Prophet stood for. Christians and indeed Muslims have in recent years been victims of similar attacks carried out by the group.
"We extend our sympathies to the victims families and wish the Nigerian government well in their attempts to catch the culprits
Suleman Nagdi
PR Officer
25th Dec 2011
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MCB condemns the Christmas Day bombings in Nigeria
The Muslim Council of Britain today [25 December] condemned the murderous attacks on Christians and Churches in Nigeria. The assaults are reported to have been carried out by a group calling themselves 'Boko Haram'.
Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said: "There is nothing in our faith of Islam that can condone attacks on places of worship or on Christians as we have seen today. The attacks take place at the most important celebrations for Christians, it is offensive and Muslims condemn such actions. It threatens the fragile state of relations between Muslims and Christians, which has been peaceful in the past. Sectarian attacks as we have seen in Nigeria and in Iraq last week are reprehensible -- people who claim to carry out such carnage in the name of Islam are completely mistaken and are as much enemy of Muslims as anyone else."
