U.S. Muslims’ Ad Rejects Violence

American Muslims have launched an advertising campaign to denounce acts of terrorism.

“Any effort by terrorists to hide their criminal activities under the mask of religious piety is being categorically and unequivocally rejected by mainstream Muslims,” said Parvez Ahmed, the chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

He said the television ad, which will air nationwide by Tuesday, is an attempt to dissociate Islam from the “heinous” acts of a few Muslims.

Police believe that the bombing attacks in London are linked to Al Qaeda, the Islamic extremist group behind the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States and the train bombings in Madrid last year.

“Backlash is a concern ... but it’s not our main motive,” CAIR spokeswoman Rabiah Ahmed said. “Our main motivation lies with making sure our position is clear where Islam stands on terrorism.”

The 30-second public service spot, titled “Not in the Name of Islam,” features two American Muslim women and religious leader Imam Johari Abdul-Malik.

“We often hear claims Muslims don’t condemn terrorism and that Islam condones violence,” they say.

“As Muslims, we want to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Muhammad. We reject anyone -- of any faith -- who commits such brutal acts and will not allow our faith to be hijacked by criminals. Islam is not about hatred and violence. It’s about peace and justice.”