Islamic Scholars Condemn Terror Attacks and Speak Out about Islam

September 13, 2001

Source: The Gazettte (Montreal)

On September 13, 2001, The Montreal Gazette reported that "Muslim scholars in the United States and around the world condemn Tuesday's suicidal attacks against the United States and insist there is nothing in Islamic teachings that justifies such barbarity against innocent people. 'I don't think you will find any Muslim scholar who will condone this kind of thing,' said Dr. Jamal Barzanji, vice- president of the International Institute for Islamic Thought in Herndon, Va. 'This is totally against Islam and Muslim teachings.'" The article noted that "Muslim scholars such as the renowned Egyptian Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradawi have written extensively on Islam's prohibitions against barbarity and violence, and cautioned Muslim youth away from extremism. Saudi Arabia's supreme religious authority, Sheikh Abd al-Aziz, recently issued a fatwah, or religious ruling, saying Islam forbids suicide terrorist attacks."