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Contact: Farhan Younus, Esq. [Chair, CIOGC Media Relations Committee - fyounus@ciogc.org, 630-926-5566]
PRESS RELEASE
Chicago - Thursday, May 13, 2004 CHICAGOLAND MUSLIMS CONDEMN BARBARIC BERG MURDER
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, an umbrella organization serving over 400,000 Muslims throuhgout Chicagoland, joins fellow Americans and national Muslim organizations in condeming the brutal and inhumane murder of Nicholas Berg, an innocent American contractor in Iraq. No cause can every justify murder of innocents. Those who perpetuated this gross and revolting murder may profess to speak in the name of God, but in reality go against the most fundamental ethics of all religious and moral teachings, including those of Islam. Expressing deep regrets and strong revulsion, Council Chairman, Kareem Irfan stated: “This barbaric beheading, and the grossly inhumane taping and broadcast of this horrific act, is a human tragedy that has deeply affected not just Americans but people of all faiths and cultures across the globe. The Muslim community sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Berg's family, friends and all those suffering and grieving from this great loss.” Mr. Irfan cautioned against broadly attributing this grossly inhumane act to either the Iraqis or Muslims in general. “Just like the deviant abuses, rape and torture of Iraqi prisoners by a band of our renegade soldiers can not be allowed to taint the hundreds of thousands of our moral and upright sons and daughters fighting valiantly for the U.S., so too must this barbaric murder of Nick Berg not be used to broadly taint or retaliate against the millions of Muslims who stand steadfast on Islamic principles of respect, compassion, and mercy for all humans. Especially in these troubling and increasingly violent times, we call on all people of faith and moral conscience to join hands for the sake of peace and reconciliation, and against bloodshed and destruction.” ********************************************************* |
