The Islamic Supreme Council states that Muslims in general are peaceful people and religious sentiments should not be manipulated as a justification for protesting political decisions. "The decision to bomb Iraq was a matter of security, not religion." says Shaykh Kabbani. "Muslims are not the only people concerned with this decision; many human rights, humanitarian aid and relief organizations also share sympathy with the innocent victims of Iraq. It is clear that Saddam Hussein did not fully comply with the U.N. weapons inspections, despite intense diplomatic efforts. The US and its allies decided to act in the interest of maintaining global security. The validity of that decision can only be decided by the U.N. Security Council holding an assembly."

The Islamic Supreme Council regrets the timing of the attack, as Muslims around the world, including Iraq, prepare for the holy month of Ramadan. We appreciate that the President and other government officials considered this timing issue, and have previously made efforts to differentiate the political nature of such actions from religion. We remind the public that Egypt, Syria and Jordan, backed by most Arab nations, declared the "Ramadan War" on October 6, 1973, the 7^th day of Ramadan.

"Our membership is comprised of citizens," says Shaykh Kabbani, "who consider themselves Americans. We don't need to say we speak on behalf of 'American' Muslims for this would divide us from the system in which we actively participate. Other groups don't refer to themselves as 'American' Jews, 'American' Christians, 'American' Buddhists, 'American' Hindus, 'American' New Age followers and the like. We are American – period. We give our positions as Muslims, just as Jews state their positions as Jews and Christians as Christians, etc."

The ISCA Chairman continues, "As members of a democracy we may have particular concerns with decisions made by our government; we leave the judgment to the majority, the leaders we selected and our political system."

ISCA sympathizes with the innocent victims of Iraq that Saddam Hussein has subjected to attack by his noncompliance. The global community has made clear their position: the need for non-proliferation of chemical, biological and atomic weapons, which may in turn be sold to extremist, militant movements. At the same time we call on the U.N. to put an end to all sanctions against the victims of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi people, as the strikes have fulfilled the purpose of eliminating Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.