CIC CONDEMNS NEW YEAR’S EVE BOMB BLAST

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
              The Canadian Islamic Congress

January 06, 2011 -Safar 02, 1432  

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In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

CANADIAN ISLAMIC CONGRESS ~ MEDIA COMMUNIQUE

January 6, 2011 – for immediate release

CIC CONDEMNS NEW YEAR’S EVE BOMB BLAST

THAT KILLED OR INJURED NEARLY 100 COPTIC CHRISTIANS

AT MIDNIGHT MASS IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

The Canadian Islamic Congress, in unity with Christians and all people of faith and conscience worldwide, today expressed shock and sadness in response to the mindless attack against our Egyptian brothers and sisters of the Orthodox Coptic community in Egypt on New Year’s Eve.  Any time an innocent life is taken, it diminishes our humanity. We condemn this terrorism in the strongest possible terms.

We join with all Canadians and the international community in calling for swift apprehension and punishment of those who perpetrated this atrocity upon people of faith during a time of worship and celebration. No cause -- political or otherwise -- can ever be justified by the immoral attack committed against Coptic Christians in Alexandria while they peacefully gathered for New Year’s Eve prayers.

All Muslims should unite against those who terrorize innocent humanity; the teachings of our faith demand it of us. It is the duty of all Muslims to help bring such criminals to justice without delay.

CIC national president Wahida Valiante urged “ALL Egyptians – Muslims and Christians – not to allow these dangerous individuals to shake and disturb the centuries-long peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Christians in Egypt. We call upon Egyptians of all faith to work together for the elimination of sectarian violence and the betterment of their own country.”

The CIC is also appealing to Canadian Muslims to reach out to Coptic Christian leaders and congregations across Canada through acts of friendship and solidarity, to mourn together those so tragically lost in Alexandria. “We are hurt too and we stand with them in their sorrow and struggle against those who do not value innocent human life,” Mrs. Valiante continued.

Today’s statement concluded with the assurance that the CIC (a federally registered Canadian NGO) would offer any assistance that it can at this perilous time and that its leaders and members seek to work together for greater protection and harmony between Muslims and Christian minorities everywhere.

The national organization reiterated “our deepest sympathy and heart-felt condolences to the victims of the deadly New Year's Eve attack and, in spite of this tragic beginning to 2011, we extend our sincere best wishes for a peace-filled Coptic Christmas holiday.”

CONTACT:

Mrs. Wahida Valiante,

National Chair and President, Canadian Islamic Congress

Cell 647 802 8024

THE CANADIAN ISLAMIC CONGRESS
877 Shefford Road
Ottawa, ON K1J 8H9