Muslim leaders in call for action

BBC reports Britain's top Muslims have branded the London suicide bombings "utterly criminal, totally reprehensible, and absolutely un-Islamic".

You are right. What are you going to do with the Imams that brainwashed them into doing those utterly criminal, totally reprehensible, and absolutely un-Islamic things?

A joint statement of condemnation came as 22 leaders and scholars met at the Islamic Cultural Centre, in London. But Britain's highest ranking Asian police officer, Tarique Ghaffur, says Muslims and their leaders must do more than just condemn the bombings. Bomber Hasib Mir Hussain's family said on Friday they were "devastated". Police in Egypt arrested chemistry student Magdi Mahmoud al-Nashar, 33, wanted in connection with the bombings. At the meeting in London, Muslim leaders said there could never be any excuse for taking an innocent life, it said. Earlier, the head of the Muslim Council of Britain said he wanted "concrete steps" to make sure such atrocities were never repeated. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, met Islamic and community leaders in Leeds, where three of the bombers were from. The statement said everyone must confront the problems of Islamophobia, racism, unemployment, economic depravation and social exclusion. "Islam prohibits both anger and desperation. Anger and desperation are haram (forbidden) and may lead to some people being targeted by people with a sinister and violent agenda.

Islamophobia is a result of the terrorist acts by some extreme Muslims, not the other way around. And the bombers were not unemployed, economically deprived people; they were middle class teachers and students that had been brainwashed by Islamofascist Imams.

"There is, therefore, a great deal of positive work to be done with everyone in our own and wider community in order to channel the energy and talent of our youth, particularly into constructive avenues, serving God and society for the common good. "The youth need understanding, not bashing."

I understand them. They wanted to blow themselves up so they could kill others. That is not something that should happen.

Of the Muslim stance on suicide bombing, the leaders said: "There can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life. "The Koran clearly declares that killing an innocent person was tantamount to killing all mankind and likewise saving a single life was as if one had saved the life of all mankind. "This is both a principle and a command ... Those who carried out the bombing, the statement said: "Should in no sense be regarded as martyrs. Both Muslims and non-Muslims should help bring the people behind the bombing to justice, it said. "The pursuit of justice for the victims of last week's attacks is an obligation under the faith of Islam."

Marc @USSNeverdock blogged Muslims Speak Out - But listen carefully to what they are saying.

Britain's top Muslims have branded the London suicide bombings "utterly criminal, totally reprehensible, and absolutely un-Islamic".

But not terrorism. That's becasue the leader of the Muslim Council of Britain, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, says Muslim terrorists don't exist.

'There is no such thing as an Islamic terrorist. This is deeply offensive.

And Sacranie tries to distract you from the real issues and who the real terrorist are.

The statement said everyone must confront the problems of Islamophobia, racism, unemployment, economic depravation and social exclusion.

Islamophobia and racism, ah yes it's all our fault. As for the rest, we know that none of that has anything to do with terrorism as the terrorist are usually well educated, employed and come from good homes. See here and here. Sacranie goes on blaming us for Muslim terrorism.

"The youth need understanding, not bashing."

It's our fault because we fail to understand Muslim youths and bash them and not Islam's fault for preaching hate. Sacranie continues:

Of the Muslim stance on suicide bombing, the leaders said: "There can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life.

Ah, but according to the Koran us infidels are not "innocent" and we must be converted to Islam or killed where they find us. If a Muslim is killed while killing the infidels that's ok too. All Sacranie is doing is paying lip service and seen to be concerned. Nowhere does he call for reforming Islam - the root of terrorism. Notice the picture of the Muslim woman carrying a sign that says "Islam wants peace"? Muslims playing the victim card again. The sign makes it sound like they are under attack and want peace. How come they never carry signs saying "down with bin Laden" or "stop Muslim terrorists

Ann Althouse blogged Please, more -- much more -- of this