Rally Against Terrorism
Over the past year a horrific spate of terrorist murders in Nigeria, France and elsewhere in the name of Islam contradicts its teachings on universal education and freedom. The first revelation of the Quran directs Muslims to ‘read’, as ‘your Lord .. taught with the pen.’ The Prophet Muhammad said that “seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, male and female”, and, by some reports, said “seek knowledge, even as far as China”, referring to secular knowledge. He arranged for non-Muslim prisoners to earn their freedom by teaching Muslim children to read and write. For centuries, Muslims have sought the sciences of all other civilizations and built upon them. Boko Haram and the Taliban have cast themselves out of this endeavor, but will never thwart it.
While denouncing terrorism, the rally was intended to reinforce support of sanctity of life, freedom of expression, universal education, and religious liberty. These are positive values that Muslims not only share with all humanity, but indeed helped to take shape over the centuries. The rally was conceived by a group of Indianapolis-area Muslims is co-sponsored by many local organizations, with the following list continuing to grow.
There was also an interview on WIBC radio station between Ray Steel and Muzaffer Ahmed, discussing terrorism and the incident that occurred in France. The link is below for anyone that would like to listen to it:
The Prophet of Islam was continually mocked and often assaulted during his years of preaching. He endured these personal attacks and taught his followers to forgive, flee if necessary, and to make peace. He prayed for and worked for people’s welfare, even that of his assailants, and taught his followers to not mock the symbols of other faiths. The criminals who have murdered or threatened writers, journalists, and cartoonists in Europe and elsewhere have utterly abandoned the gentle example of the Prophet. The power of education, scholarship, and free expression has been immensely valued in Islamic civilization, recognizing that the pen is ultimately mightier than weapons of violence. There is absolutely no justification in Islam for the killing of Charlie Hebdo cartoonists and Jewish shoppers in France, schoolchildren in Pakistan, worshippers in Jerusalem, or innocent people of all faiths in Nigeria and other nations.
The event had a great turnout, it consisted of people from all backgrounds and faiths that came together to stand in solidarity with victims of terrorism everywhere. The local channel Wish TV 8, believed that, “About 100 people showed support for freedom of expression, universal education and religious liberty”, at the event.
The rally was co-sponsored by many local organizations, that we would like to thank one more time for all their efforts and support:
Butler University Muslim Student Association
Council of Indiana Muslim Organizations
Indianapolis Muslim Community Assoc’n / Masjid Al Fajr
Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center
IQRA Center of Indiana
Islamic Society of North America
IUPUI Local Global Peace Network
IUPUI Muslim Student Association
Masjid Al-Mu’mineen
Muslim Alliance of Indiana
Muslim Volunteers of America
Nur-Allah Islamic Center
Rise for America
Shahid Athar, MD
Veterans for Peace
We would also like to thank all the speakers that came out and gave great speeches that day, thank you once again:
Dr. Shahid Athar, MD
Edgar Hopida
K. P. Singh
Judge David Shaheed
Pastor Dr. Lewis Galloway
Leena Mossa-Basha
Imam Michael Sahir
Annie Hayat
Charlie Wiles
Mary Fadae
Nadir Mitiche
Jonathan Lounds
Rabbi Paula Winnig
Khadijah Shareef
Don Knebel, JD
