Muslim Leaders and Scholars Condemn Suicide Bombings of Civilians, Outside of Occupied Territories

July 15, 2005

Source: The Boston Globe

Wire Service: AP

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/07/15/muslim_scholars_condemn_london_attack/

On July 15, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "Muslim leaders and scholars condemned the London bombings Friday but stopped short of criticizing all suicide attacks, with some of them saying those targeting occupying forces are sometimes justified.

The 22 imams and scholars meeting at London's largest mosque said in a joint statement that the perpetrators of the subway blasts had violated the Quran by killing innocent civilians and that no one should consider them martyrs.

In a later press conference, the conferees were repeatedly asked if they also condemn suicide bombings in countries such as Iraq and Israel.

'There should be a clear distinction between the suicide bombing of those who are trying to defend themselves from occupiers, which is something different from those who kill civilians, which is a big crime,' said Sayed Mohammed Musawi, the head of the World Islamic League in London... In their statement condemning the London bombings, the imams and scholars said the terrorism by a small group of radicals had victimized Muslims around the world by raising 'Islamophobia' among the general public."