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ISCA
heralds President's support for Islam and American Muslims
"We are not going to let the war on terror
change our values"
(Washington,
DC 11/13/2002) In a public statement today President Bush
reiterated that the United States is not engaged in a war
with the religion of Islam or peaceful Muslims, but rather
seeks to eliminate terror and terrorists regardless of their
religion.
The Islamic
Supreme Council of America (ISCA) applauds the president's
unequivocal remarks, particularly in the light of recent unwarranted
attacks on the religion of Islam and on the person of its
prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, by prominent American
religious figures.
Speaking
to Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, President
Bush said:
"I
will remind the Secretary General that our war against terror
is a war against individuals whose hearts are full of hate.
We do not fight a religion ... As a matter of fact by far
the vast majority of American citizens respect the Islamic
people and Muslim faith. After all there are millions of
peace-loving American Muslims. Some of the comments that
have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments
of my government or the sentiments of most Americans ...
Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a
peaceful religion, a religion that respects others ... Ours
is a country based upon tolerance and we respect the faith.
We welcome people of all faiths in America and we are not
going to let the war on terror or terrorists change our
values."
Responding
to the president's comments, ISCA Chairman Shaykh Muhammad
Hisham Kabbani said:
"Once
again, President Bush has highlighted the peaceful and tolerant
character of the Islamic faith. At a time when some narrow-minded
individuals are expressing hatred for Islam, he is showing
true love for our religion. Such statements, coming as they
do from the leader of our nation, have done much to promote
tolerance among Americans of all faiths and have done much
to protect the American Muslim community from hate crimes."
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