Islam is a religion of peace

By Dr. Amer Araim

GUEST COMMENTARY
Contra Costa Times, July 9, 2005

EVERY DAY after completing my dawn prayers, I supplicate to Allah to preserve peace and tranquility in this country and to let peace and justice prevail all over the world.

Then I watch the news on television and read the news on the Internet and the morning papers. I have been shocked this morning since watching the mass murder and in particular the victims of the terrorist attacks in London.

I am deeply concerned at the news reports indicating that Muslim individuals or so-called Islamic groups were responsible for these despicable actions.

Islam is the religion of peace and does not condone these heinous actions. My memory took me back to more than three years ago when New York and Washington D.C. were attacked.

I recall the solid unity amongst all Americans including the members of the Muslim communities, supported by the entire world in expressing solidarity with the victims of those abominable attacks.

The prayers and calls for peace and to work together to end the scourge of terrorism from the world were very powerful.

Since speaking at Civic Park in Walnut Creek a few days after the tragic events of 9/11 and until now I have always been invited to churches and other places of worship, colleges, schools and hospitals to emphasize this unity.

The theme of my speeches has always concentrated on renunciation of violence and that all problems should be resolved by peaceful means.

One of my main objectives is to promote a better understanding between the Muslim community and other sectors of the society.

In my sermons and lectures at different mosques in this county, I have always stressed that the Muslim community is an integral part of the American society.

We share the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and in particular the freedom of worship.

Allah bestowed so many bounties on this country and we must praise and thank Him for that.

To achieve acceptance by Allah we must work for peace and justice in the world. I also emphasize that in the Quran there is an important command concerning the fulfilling of pledges, contracts and commitments.

This command is repeated more than 20 times in different forms. I have always pointed out that when we came to the United States of America for the first time we gave pledges to respect the laws and regulations of this country, which include absolute rejection of violence.

These commitments we gave to the United States authorities are in the meantime given to Allah the Lord of the world.

In accordance with Islamic belief Allah is the witness for the pledges we give. Therefore, violating these commitments are not only violations of the laws of this country, but also a wicked and sinful act and contrary to the commands of Allah.

I am sure that Muslims in Britain are not only abhorring these terrorist attacks but also share the agony and grief of the family of the victims of this mass murder.

Reading and listening to the statements of British officials, I am pleased that they confirmed that the majority of British Muslims detest these acts of terrorism.

We should not be in disarray as a result of this latest terrorist action. We, in America, should strengthen our solidarity, preach the sanctity of human lives and continue our good work for peace and justice at home and abroad.

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Araim, a Muslim Imam, is a member of the Intefaith Council of Contra Costa County and adjunct professor of the Middle East at Diablo Valley College.