Fridae

The international GLBT Muslim organisation Al-Fatiha has joined mainstream Arab and Muslim organisations in condemning the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC.

"We join our sisters and brothers in the US and around the world to mourn the loss of life and condemn this tragedy," stated Faisal Alam, Founder & Director of Al-Fatiha, in speaking about the attacks.

Al-Fatiha chapters around the world are being asked to hold special prayer sessions to mourn the innocent victims in the US and are being asked to do whatever they can to assist the countless victims of the attacks.

In condemning the attacks Al-Fatiha asked the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community not to be quick to stereotype Arabs or Muslims, and warned that repercussions against Arabs and Muslims might follow.

According to a BBC report, members of the Arab-American and Muslim communities have already received death threats and several have been attacked as Americans lash out in anger against those they see as responsible.

Dr James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute told the BBC it had been a trauma for all Americans, including Arab-Americans, many of whom had lost friends and relatives in the disaster. He said that he had received several death threats and was arranging security for his office.

"Arab-Americans are as afraid, grieving and mourning as everyone else. But for us it's a double tragedy, because while we grieve, we're forced to look over our shoulder."

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, false speculation about the perpetrators of the Oklahoma City Bombing led to more than 200 incidents of harassment, threats, actual violence against Muslims following the few days of the 1995 attack on the Murrah Federal Building. As a safety precaution, the CAIR has also asked those who wear Islamic attire to consider staying out of public areas for the immediate future.

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Speculations have already run high in the United States that the attack was a plot by Osama bin Laden, a Saudi billionaire currently hiding in Afghanistan, suspected of carrying out similar attacks in the past.

"We must not allow our fears and anger to overcome us," said Faisal Alam.

"Religion has long been used as a tool of oppression against many communities including LGBT people, and the voices of peace and justice. But no religion at its core advocates violence or terrorism, including Islam."

Muslim organisations in the US have not only expressed their condolences to the families of the victims but have also urged encourages Islamic Centers to start blood drive campaigns and for Muslims across the US to donate blood.

The American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC) which consists of American Muslim Council, Council on American-Islamic Relations, American Muslim Alliance and Muslim Public Affairs Council issued a statement which reads in part:

"American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No Political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

Islam which comes from the Arabic root work "salaam" or peace, is the fastest growing religion in the United States with an estimated population of 7 million Muslims. There are 1.2 billion Muslims around the world.