(CIOGC) joins other sobering voices around the world
(CIOGC) joins other sobering voices around the world
Last Modified:
Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:40:25 GMT
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Ahlam
July 9, 2012
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ahlam Jbara
Email: a.jbara@ciogc.org
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) joins other sobering voices around the world, including the United African Organization and CIOGC member native Malians, in a prayer for a return to peaceful co-existence of many historic tribal communities in Mali, West Africa. CIOGC strongly condemns the outrageous destruction of Mali’s historical sites and artifacts. The extremist groups, some of which have no connection to the Malian people or land, and their ideology have no regard for sacred symbols and are outside of the mainstream of the Islamic faith.
The diverse Muslim communities represented by CIOGC call for an end to the acts of vandalism in the besieged ancient African Muslim cities like Timbuktu, Jenne and Gao in Mali. Mali occupies a special place in the global and glorious history of Islam. And as CIOGC has a long history in standing in solidarity for the rights and dignities of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world, it can do no less in face of these wanton acts of destruction in Mali.
As stated by Alie Kabba, Executive Director of the United African Organization office in Chicago, the Muslim world goes beyond the traditional Middle Eastern and North African countries and, “understanding our interconnectedness through history is an essential cornerstone of our responsibility to appreciate the faith that unites our diverse community.”
The CIOGC also joins the United African Organization in speaking out against the continuing violations of human rights and other abuses by armed terrorist groups occupying the northern part of Mali and the worsening humanitarian situation on the ground.
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