Bombings ‘Inhuman,’ Muslim Group Says

Taking a public stance against the recent bombings of synagogues in Turkey and a mosque in India, leaders of the Orange County Muslim community denounced the attacks at a gathering with Jewish and Christian representatives on Sunday.

The interfaith vigil, held at a Mission Viejo mosque, was organized by the Orange County Islamic Foundation to remember the victims of the car bombings at two crowded synagogues in Istanbul and a mosque in Parbani, India.

Mahboob Akhter, co-chairman of the foundation’s outreach committee, denounced the bombings as “sinful and inhuman.”

Saadiq Saafir, vice chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, added that Muslims “can never justify acts of violence calling them acts of war. We have to hold all those accountable who commit those acts.”

Rabbi Allen Krause of Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo characterized the gathering as “really a breakthrough moment in Orange County, when Muslim leadership stands together and condemns terrorist attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions. I know I frequently hear from the Jewish community, ‘Why don’t they ever say anything ?’ ”

About 100 people of different faiths joined in condemning the terrorist violence committed in the name of religion.

Several groups purportedly linked to the Al Qaeda terrorist network have claimed responsibility for nearly simultaneous Nov. 15 attacks on the two Istanbul synagogues that left 25 people dead, including the bombers, an 8-year-old girl and her 85-year-old grandmother. More than 300 were injured.

Islamic fundamentalist groups associated with Al Qaeda have threatened to attack Jewish and Western targets, especially in countries seen as supportive of the United States, as Turkey is.

Syria recently handed over to Turkish authorities 22 people suspected of involvement in the bombings.

The Rev. Will Crist of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach said the gathering was a step in the right direction in “expanding our common ground and our awareness of what we have in common.”

He said there would soon be an evening of prayer at St. Mary’s attended by people from Orange County synagogues and mosques, and next month, services at Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo attended by Muslims and Christians.

Ibrahim Ali, chairman of the interfaith committee at the Mission Viejo mosque, said Muslims have frequently condemned acts of violence against Jews by other Muslims, but the message has not been heard.

“Our challenge has not been speaking out,” he said. “Our challenge has been gaining listening ears.”

As the number of attacks in the name of religion continues to grow, so do the number of voices in opposition.

“This is not the first time Muslims have stood up in condemnation, but we have to admit that the condemnations are not as sensational as the acts themselves, “ said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.