‘To kill one innocent person is akin to killing all mankind’
Originally published in the Irish Independent on Nov 17, 2015
I hope and pray that you have received this message in the best of health.
In regards to the heinous incident that took place on the eve of November 13, as Imam of the Dublin congregation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland, and on the behalf of the Dublin congregation, I would like to first of all offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the French nation, and secondly state that we strongly condemn this act of barbarism, which is an atrocity to humanity.
The true teachings of Islam coincide with our motto of ‘Love for all, hatred for none’. With these short words I would like to now convey the message of the spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
He writes:”On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide, I express my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the French nation, its people and government following the heinous terrorist attacks that have taken place in Paris.
“This brutal and inhumane attack can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“I would also like to reiterate that all forms of terrorism and extremism are completely against the true teachings of Islam.
“The Holy Koran has said that to kill even one innocent person is akin to killing all of mankind. Thus under no circumstances can murder ever be justified and those who seek to justify their hateful acts in the name of Islam are serving only to defame it in the worst possible way.
“Our sympathies and prayers are with the victims of these attacks and all those who have been left bereaved or affected.
“May God Almighty grant patience to them all and I hope and pray that the perpetrators of this evil act are swiftly brought to justice.”
Rabeeb Mirza
Imam of the Dublin congregation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland
