ISCA joins call for Day of Tribute to the Victims of 9-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(WASHINGTON, DC - 8/6/02) The Islamic Supreme Council of America calls on its members in the US and around the world to join with people of all faiths and observe a day of prayer and mourning on the anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks.

As a tribute to those who were killed that unprecedented day, the Council asks that all affiliates open their mosques and centers to members of every faith in a show of national unity and remorse for the acts of violence committed in the name of Islam. We ask that Muslims around the world demonstrate our deep sense of regret and take a moment to consider what leads violent ideologues to use our religion to commit crimes against humanity.

We call on all our clergy members to present the importance of the inner struggle against temptation and evil, and emphasize individual and communal acts of spiritual discipline as means by which we may all experience of God's compassion, love, and tolerance. For those not affiliated with any particular mosque, we request they visit their nearest house of worship and stand in solidarity with all whose hearts have been penetrated by grief, thanks to the wayward acts of a few who hijacked the religion of Islam.

In addition, the Council calls on its individual members to open their homes to neighbors, to fly the US flag at half-mast, and to light candles at sunset in front of their homes as a sign of respect for those who so tragically lost their lives on that day.

We share a continued sense of patriotism with our fellow Americans, in this "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

For more information:

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Islamic Supreme Council of America
1400 Sixteenth Street NW #B112
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-939-3400
Fax: 202-939-3410
E-mail: staff@islamicsupremecouncil.org