330 East Roosevelt Road, Suite G5, Lombard, IL 60148 - Ph.: 630.629.7490 – Fax: 630.629.7492
Contact: Kareem M. Irfan [Chairman, CIOGC - Ph.: 847.867.4304; irfank@squared.com]

PRESS RELEASE
Chicago - Monday, March 18, 2002

CHICAGO MUSLIMS STRONGLY CONDEMN
GRENADE ATTACK ON ISLAMABAD CHURCH

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (a Federation of over 40 Islamic centers, schools & institutions representing over 400,000 area Muslims), unequivocally condemns in the strongest manner the March 17 grenade attack on a Protestant Church in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing five people including 2 Americans. The Council joins fellow Americans and President Bush in outrage over this cowardly attack on innocent people.

Muslim Americans in Chicago and all over the U.S. are distressed by the atrocious actions of the attackers. These criminals have not only been barbaric in taking the lives of innocents in this gruesome attack, but have also grossly violated the sanctity of a house of worship by callously attacking and killing worshippers there. Not even during times of war are Muslims allowed to attack a house of worship, and this attack, if perpetrated by Muslims, is an affront to the letter and spirit of Islamic teachings.

The Council and Chicago's Muslim Americans send their heartfelt condolences to the families of the five victims of the attack and pray that God Almighty grants them strength and perseverance during this most difficult time. We call on Pakistani authorities to undertake every possible effort in finding and bringing to justice the murderers behind this act of terrorism. Islam, and Muslim Americans all over Chicago and the U.S., demand no less than that.

*********************************************************