Last Updated: 20th September, 2001

We at Al-Islam.org condemn the cowardly, terrorist acts committed in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. We are deeply saddened and outraged by the loss of innocent lives resulting from these gratuitous displays of violence, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to all those who will no longer see their loved ones come home. We pray to the Almighty for a speedy recovery of those who have been injured - physically and emotionally - as a result of these senseless acts of terror. And we urge American and international law enforcement agencies to help bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.

Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace. In our sacred book, the Noble Qur'an, we are taught the value of innocent life in these words:

Evidenced by the links to numerous pictures and articles we have gathered together below, we do not stand alone -- rather, we join hands with American Muslims and all people of conscience worldwide in our condemnation of terrorism:

Muslim Leaders Condemn Terrorist Attacks and Join in Mourning the Loss of Innocent Lives
Sharing the Loss: Solidarity in Pictures
Prejudice and Intolerance Against Muslim- and Arab-Americans

In this time of difficulty and uncertainty following the tragic events that took place in America, we encourage all of our visitors to embrace rational thinking and to avoid an attitude of ignorance and racism that seeks to blame entire nations or an entire religion for the deplorable acts of a handful of people. These difficult times have brought to the fore the need to remove the dark, ugly clouds of ignorance, bigotry, and hate; we invite you to explore Al-Islam.org and learn more about Muslims and the teachings of Islam, the religion of peace.

Since the events of September 11, we at Al-Islam.org have received an increased number of emails from visitors around the world and particularly from our fellow Americans. Despite our unequivocal and categorical condemnation of terrorism, many of these emails have been filled with ignorance and virulent hate, and they have caused us to wonder in dismay whether we Americans will live up to the test that has been placed before us---a test of tolerance, understanding, love of fellow neighbors, and the very principles that make up the cultural, moral, and religious mosaic of the American society. However, correspondence we have received from others has assured us that there is hope.

With the consent of their authors, we share some of these positive examples with you. Ms. Samantha Jones writes on September 12:

I want to apologize on behalf of the stunned and angry American public who has threatened harm on the Islamic community. It is a very difficult time right now while we mourn the loss of so many individuals. Often times rash decisions and hateful comments are made from people reacting to tragedy and I would like you to know that not every one believes that the Islamic community as a whole should be punished for the despicable acts that Tuesdays Attack incurred. I don't believe that this attack should excuse prejudices both religious and racial. I am sorry if people I know or even strangers made you feel unsafe in this free country, a country that we should all be proud to live in right now.

My Sincerest Blessing
Samantha Jones
College Student
California

Mr. William R. Benson writes "From a Catholic American Veteran..." on September 12th

To the Muslim Community:

The events of the past days will undoubtedly bring some degree of backlash against the Muslim Community in the United States. The manifestation of ignorance is an unfortunate side-effect in a culture that does not stress a well rounded education.

I would, however, like to assure our Muslim friends that, after speaking with many of the members of my community, Christians, Catholics, Jewish, Bhuddist, and even a few Pagans, understand that even if our suspicions are proven correct, that the perpetrators of this terrorist act do not represent the Muslim community.

I believe that the Islamic Faith is a peaceful, merciful and beautiful faith, not a vessel of vengeance and destruction. Even I who does not share in this faith believe that the majority of the Muslim Community shares in the revulsion of the terrorist acts committed in the past few days.

I do not place blame of these attacks on the shoulders of the Muslim Community at large, and wish to register my support for the Muslim Community, especially those Muslims in the United States. I will do my best to ensure that the anger of those around me are directed at the political figures involved, instead of sweeping up an entire religion into the issue.

I hope that those who are so angry now will realize that you are not the enemy, that you are as much victims as the rest of the world, and as such, you should be left in peace.

God Bless you, God Bless us all,

Bill Benson

Ms. Pamela writes "Please forgive our ignorance..." on September 14th:

I am not of your faith but hold no one responsible for the acts of 9/11/01 except those who participated. Not everyone in America is thinking so clearly, though.

Please accept my apologies for their ignorance of mind and action. Please forgive the acts against your people by these ignorant people.

I am truly sorry.

Pamela

I have had and still have many Muslim friends. I am very concerned for all of their safety in light of the recent terrorism. The persecution of innocents for the actions of a few is what brought down the World Trade Center Towers. There should be no more innocent bloodshed.

Edward R. Fahy, MD, writes on September 15th:

I am a Christian, and in search of deeper faith. I was heartbroken by the events of the last week, and so gladdened to see your unequivocal condemnation of those events. Thank you so very much for the reaffirmation of my understanding of Islam...

Q: What was the reaction of Muslims to the terrorist attacks in the United States in New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001?

A: Muslims around the world have strongly condemned the senseless attacks on innocent human beings. We were just as shocked and saddened by the horrific images of the tragedy as everyone else. In the United States, Muslims have been participating alongside their fellow Americans in many activities such as fund raising, blood donor clinics and peace marches to start to rebuild after the destruction.

Q: Were these attacks part of a "holy war" by Muslims?

A: The term "holy war" is often incorrectly given as the direct translation of the Arabic word jihad, which literally translates to "struggle". Jihad does not automatically imply the use of physical force; rather, it can take many different forms, such as an internal struggle to follow Islam, a struggle against oppression, or a struggle for peace.

The Quran says, "Peace is better". As a last resort, jihad may require physical force after diplomatic means have been exhausted...but only in reply to aggression initiated by the other.

Q: Are Muslims opposed to Christianity, Judaism, or the Western lifestyle?

A: While there are some theological differences between Islam, Christianity and Judaism, the Noble Qur'an teaches that Muslims should co-exist in peace with other religions.

Iraq Action Coalition
Stand against the sanctions against Iraq that kill more than 4000 infants a month.

Palestine Media Watch
Shrug off the bias of "blaming the victims" in reporting about Palestine and Israel.

Terror in America (The Independent, British Daily)
Read the article written by Robert Fisk on September 12th after the "explosion to come" where he mentions other acts of terrorism such as the Qana massacre in Lebanon.

They Can't See Why They Are Hated (Guardian Newspaper, UK)
A reflection on some of the reasons why we are targets of attack

Articles by Dr. Robert Fisk (The Independent, British Daily)
Award-winning journalist, Robert Fisk, writes about the realities of Middle Eastern politics and provides an honest perspective on matters often glossed over by the Western media.

The Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project (DILP)
Contact Us

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)	American Muslims Condemn Terrorist Attacks
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)	Islamic world deplores US losses
	Tehran, IRAN: Member of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Emami Kashani, addresses thousands gathered at Tehran university for Friday prayer Friday, Sept, 14, 2001. Kashani, condemned the terror attacks on the United States. In background are Iran's late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini, right, and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshin)- Sep 14 1:04 PM ET For more information, read Iranians Condemn Terror Strikes
	Two Iranian boys hold the Hamshahri daily newspaper displaying the headlines on the front page "U.S on fire" and featuring pictures and stories on the terrorist attack on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington DC, in Tehran on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, condemned the terror attacks on the United States. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian) - Sep 12 5:33 PM ET
	Cairo, EGYPT: Egypt's great Imam Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi of Cairo's Al-Azhar mosque, Islam's oldest and most prominent religious institution, gestures in Cairo during Friday prayers on Sept.14, 2001. "He who kills a person without necessity ... will never go to heaven," Tantawi told worshippers as he denounced the terror attacks in the U.S. on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)- Sep 14 6:57 PM ET
	Washington, DC: President George Bush, center right, and first lady Laura Bush, right, participate in a national day of prayer and remembrance service at the National Cathedral in Washington, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Walking past the president during the processional are, at far left, Rabbi Joshua O. Haberman of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, and Imam Muzammil H. Siddiqi of the Islamic Society of North America . (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) - Sep 14 4:07 PM ET
	U.S. President George W. Bush (3L) looks down the aisle as a Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Imam of the Islamic Society of North America, and Rabbi Joshua Haberman pass him during a service at the National Cathedral September 14, 2001, to remember an estimated 5,000 people who died in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania from Tuesday's terrorist hijackings. Right of President George W. Bush are first Lady Laura Bush, former President George Bush, Barbara Bush, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. Bush called on Americans to remember the victims with noon memorial services at churches, synagogues and mosques. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Sep 14 2:13 PM ET
	Munich, GERMANY: Charlotte Knobloch, left, chairwoman of the Jewish community of Munich, and Ahmad Al-Khalifa, head of the Islamic community of Germany, shake hands during a service to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States at the cathedral of Munich, southern Germany, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Person at center is unidentified.(AP Photo/Diether Endlicher) - Sep 14 3:48 PM ET

INFOPAL: The Independent Palestinian Information Network	Palestinian and Muslim Solidarity with the Victims of Terror
	CALIFORNIA Los Angeles: Muslim worshippers pray during the evening prayer service at the Islamic Center of Southern California, in Los Angeles, Tuesday evening, Sept. 11, 2001. Religious leader Dr. Hassan Hathout, far left, delivered an elegy for the victims of this morning's terrorist attacks and called upon fellow Americans to stand together to bring the perpetrators to justice. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)- Sep 12 12:38 AM ET
	Prayer leader Abdul Hamid Youness, right, leads a group of worshippers in their daily noon prayer at the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The prayer included words for those killed in terrorist attacks against the United States, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 11 6:32 PM ET
	Alameda: Muslims pray Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, at the Quba Mosque in Alameda, Calif., for the victims who lost their lives during Tuesday's attacks in New York and Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)- Sep 14 6:53 PM ET
	Plainfield, INDIANA: Members of Islamic Society of North America in Plainfield, Ind., bow in prayer during an interdenominational prayer service in the mosque, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Members of the mosque were joined by religious group in the area for the service that remembered the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and those on the plane in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) - Sep 14 5:18 PM ET
	Shahid Athar leads an interdenominational prayer service in the mosque at the Islamic Society of North America in Plainfield, Ind., Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Members of the mosque were joined by religious groups in the area for the service that remembered the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and those on the jet in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) - Sep 14 5:14 PM ET
	Boston, MASSACHUSETTS: Thousands of people are shown during an interfaith vigil of prayer and solidarity on the plaza at Boston City Hall, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001, in Boston. Jewish, Christian, Muslim other religious leaders joined thousands of participants in a prayer vigil for victims of Tuesday's fatal terrorist hijackings and attacks. (AP Photo/Don Harney) - Sep 13 8:56 PM ET
	Mourners for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., including beginning second from the left, Annour Strauchon, of Quincy, Mass., Mary Lynch, Diane Boulay, and her sister Lisa Boulay, all of Boston, hold an U.S. flag and sing during an interfaith prayer vigil on Boston's City Hall Plaza, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001. The gathering, attended by at least two thousand people, was attended by religious leaders from the Islamic, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant faiths, among others. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) - Sep 13 7:16 PM ET
	Dearborn, MICHIGAN: Women light candles on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001, at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn, Mich., during a candlelight ceremony honoring victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Paul Warner) - Sep 12 9:09 PM ET
	Amy Bittar, 14, of Dearborn, Michigan, lights candles on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001 at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn, during a candlelight ceremony honoring victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Paul Warner) - Sep 12 9:08 PM ET
	Las Vegas, NEVADA: An unidentified women prays in a mosque at the Islamic Society of Nevada in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001 during a special service for the victims of the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington. President Bush declared Friday a national day of rememberence for the victims and asked that all Americans attend a church, mosque or synagogue. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch) - Sep 14 8:16 PM ET
	A women who asked not to be identified buries her face in her hands following a prayer at the Islamic Society of Nevada in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, during a special service for the victims of the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington. President Bush declared Friday a national day of rememberence for the victims and asked that all americans attend a church, mosque or synagogue. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch) - Sep 14 8:14 PM ET
	Queens, NEW YORK: Muslims pray at the Masjid Al-Abidin in the Queens borough of New York, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Americans prayed for the victims of Tuesday's attacks marking Friday as a national day of prayer and remembrance. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)- Sep 14 4:46 PM ET For another photograph click here.
	Saadia Abdu prays in a mosque at the Islamic Society of Nevada in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, during a special service for the victims of the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington. President Bush declared Friday a national day of rememberence for the victims and asked that all Americans attend a church, mosque or synagogue. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch) - Sep 14 8:15 PM ET
	Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANIA: Safdar Khwaja (R) of Murraysville, Pennsylvania takes part in a special prayer service for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, held by the Muslim Community of Greater Pittsburgh in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, September 14, 2001. (REUTERS/Jason Cohn)- Sep 14 2:59 PM ET
	North Smithfield, RHODE ISLAND: Iman Dr. Hasan Ahmad, at podium, originally from Jordan, leads fellow Muslims in a prayer for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, at the Masjid Al-Islam Mosque in North Smithfield, R.I. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)- Sep 14 4:49 PM ET See the prayer leader, Dr. Ahmad at the podium.
	Tirana, ALBANIA Albanian muslims pray for the souls of victims of Tuesday's terror attacks in the U.S. in Tirana's main mosque, September 14, 2001. The Albanian government proclaimed Friday a national day of mourning and the Albanian flag flew at halfmast with the U.S. flag. (REUTERS/Arben Celi)- Sep 14 9:03 AM ET
	Dhaka, BANGLADESH: Bangladeshis in Dhaka condemn the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 12, 2001. Bangladesh beefed up security around the U.S. embassy following the attacks. (Rafiqur Rahman/Reuters) - Sep 12 9:42 AM ET
	Bangladeshis in Dhaka hold a memorial for the people killed in Tuesday's terror attacks in the United States, September 13, 2001. Bangladesh on Wednesday condemned the suicide airplane hijackings which sent commercial aircraft crashing into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, and plunging into the ground in Pennsylvania. REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman - Sep 13 7:48 AM ET
	Sarajevo, BOSNIA: Bosnian Muslims pray in front of the largest Sarajevo Bey's mosque in memory of the victims of the terror attacks in the U.S., in Sarajevo, September 14, 2001. Countries throughout the world are observing a day of mourning in honor of those dead or missing after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon earlier this week. (REUTERS/ Danilo Krstanovic)- Sep 14 10:18 AM ET
	Sao Paolo, BRAZIL: Muslims of various nationalities who live in Brazil pay hommage to the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States, during their traditional Friday prayer at a Mosque in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. The prayer ended with the verse from the Koran: "He who kills a human being is killing mankind; he who saves a human being is like saving mankind." (AP Photo/Dado Galdieri)- Sep 14 3:37 PM ET For other photographs of Brazilian Muslims remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks, click here 1, 2.
	Sofia, BULGARIA: Bulgarian Muslims pray at the main mosque in Sofia for the victims of the terror attacks against the United States, September 14, 2001. Bulgaria declared Friday as day of mourning for the victims of the attacks against the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon building in Washington on Tuesday. (REUTERS/Dimitar Dilkoff)- Sep 14 7:48 AM ET
	CANADA Calgary, Alberta: Naseeb Bajwa, 2, stands while men pray during a Muslim prayer service in Calgary, Alberta on Friday Sept. 14, 2001. Canadians gathered from coast to coast Friday to send a message of sympathy and friendship to their neighbors in the United States, a country still reeling from terrorist attacks that killed thousands. (CP PHOTO/Calgary Herald-Grant Black)- Sep 14 9:34 PM ET
	Toronto, Ontario: Muslims pray during Friday prayer at the Jami Mosque in Toronto, Canada Friday Sept.14, 2001. Canadians observed a day of prayer in memory of lives lost in the terrorist attacks Tuesday in the United States. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)- Sep 14 7:18 PM ET
	Bremen, GERMANY: A Muslim girl among others prays during a memorial service for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. in the Fatih mosque in Bremen, northwest Germany, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. The Islamic Federation of Bremen condemned Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States. (AP Photo/Joerg Sarbach)- Sep 14 3:34 PM ET
	Ahmadabad, INDIA: An Indian Muslim woman offers prayers for victims of the terrorist attack in the United States at friendship memorial in Shah-e-Alam mosque in Ahmadabad, India, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001. Many Muslims in India have condemned the terrorist attack on US. (AP Photo/Siddharth Darshan Kumar)- Sep 13 6:30 AM ET
	Tehran, IRAN: A condolence book sits in front of U.S and Swiss flags in Switzerland's embassy which is in the U.S interests section in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, to pay tribute to the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the U.S. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)- Sep 16 8:14 AM ET
	The note of Tim Guldimann, Switzerland's ambassador in Iran, which is the U.S interests section in Iran, is shown beside the condolence books in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, to pay respect to the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in United States. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)- Sep 16 7:43 AM ET
	Iranian youths leave Switzerland's embassy in Tehran which is the U.S interests section in Iran, after signing condolence books in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, to pay tribute to the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States. (AP Photo/ Hasan Sarbakhshian)- Sep 16 7:34 AM ET For more information, read Iran Holds Minute of Silence at Game
	PALESTINE East Jerusalem: Palestinian children holding flowers, candles and signs take part in a candlelight vigil in front of the United States Consulate in east Jerusalem on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Hundreds of Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, prayed for peace in the region and in the whole world expressing their support to the victims of the terrorist attacks in U.S. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Sep 14 9:39 PM ET For another photograph of Palestinian children in vigil, click here.
	A Palestinian boy holds flowers along with a sign that reads "Americans: Terror is our common enemy" next to a candle light vigil held by Palestinians in front of the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001. Palestinians expressed their condolences for those killed in New York City's World Trade Center and condemned the terrorist attack. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel) - Sep 12 3:50 PM ET
	A Palestinian youth tries to hang a sign in front of the United States Consulate in east Jerusalem during a candlelight vigil Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. Hundreds of Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, prayed for peace in the region and in the whole world expressing their support to the victims of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)- Sep 14 5:57 PM ET
	Um El-Fahem: An Israeli Arab prays alongside other Muslims during a rally of the Islamic movement in the Arab Israeli town of Um El-Fahem on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001. At the rally and in mosques across the Middle East on Friday, a wounded America received sympathy for the attacks that brought down the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)- Sep 14 6:01 PM ET

Among umpteen reports of vandalism, harrassment, abuse, and violence directed against innocent Muslim and Arab-Americans, are the following two articles:

Arab-Americans [and American Muslims] Threatened, Attacked

Arab- [and Muslim]-Americans Face Threats, Attacks

	Former President Bush implores against bigotry and intolerance: Former President George Bush urged Americans on September 13, 2001 to resist an indiscriminate backlash against Arab Americans and Muslims following the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "We must guard against painting with such a broad brush that we cause innocent Arab Americans or Islamic believers anywhere to come under unfair attack," the father of the current president said in a statement released through his office in Houston. Bush is seen during a visit to Japan in this May 29 file photo (Yoshikazu Tsuno/Pool via Reuters)- Sep 13 1:42 PM ET
	A woman carrying a sign supporting Arabs argues with a man early Saturday morning, Sept. 15, 2001 at New York's Union Square, not far from the site of Tuesday's terrorist attack against the World Trade Center. President Bush has urged the public not to take vengeance against Arab-American and Muslim communities for the terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)- Sep 15 2:46 AM ET
	Armed police officers guard a mosque in central Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001. Several cases of harassment of Muslims have been reported in Sweden in the last few days. (AP Photo/Jonas Ekstromer)- Sep 15 6:23 PM ET
	Toronto, Ontario, CANADA: Hate graffiti defaces the Islamic Center of Western Ontario in London, Ont., Canada, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001. The graffiti is an apparent backlash following the terrorist attacks on the United States Tuesday. (AP Photo/CP, The London Free Press - Derek Ruttan) - Sep 13 8:45 PM ET