Majilis Ashura
of the Greater Atlanta Area
1127 Hank Aaron Blvd
Atlanta, Ga.
404.586.9562
PRESS RELEASE …… JULY 26, 2006
Whosoever participates in a good cause will have the reward thereof, and whosoever participates in an evil cause will have a share in its burden. And Allâh is Ever All-Able to do (and a Witness to) everything. (al-Qur’an 4:85)
The Muslim community in Atlanta is deeply saddened by the needless loss of life in the current conflict in Israel and Lebanon. We send our condolences to all the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy. We call for an immediate cease-fire on both sides of the conflict followed by UN supervised diplomatic negotiations. We request our fellow Atlantans and citizens of the State of Georgia to urge the Bush Administration to demand from Israel and Lebanon an immediate cease-fire and let the United Nations place an international force on both sides of the border and pursue a just resolution to the conflict.
We believe that all life is sacred and the deaths of innocent civilians or soldiers in this conflict should not be used for political and territorial gains. It is far too simple a notion to suggest that no peace talks are possible with Hezbollah and Israel. The fact is that both Hamas and Hezbollah have political parties and representatives who have been democratically elected. Historically, many “resistance groups” have formed legitimate governments and have become parties to peace and stability. Categorizing every group we oppose or who have differing opinions from ours as terrorists is unfair and unjustified. It is a tactic used to de-humanize and demonize others to justify hate, aggression and unchecked violence against them. This kind of attitude brings more violence and creates more hatred. However one frames the “initial” act by Hezbollah at the border, it does not justify Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, killing of innocent civilians, destruction of people´s homes and neighborhoods, and the deliberate debilitation of infrastructure through the continuous bombardment by the Israeli Army and Air Force. And the same is true for Gaza. Such abhorrent acts are not a road to permanent peace and human life is senselessly being lost on both sides of the conflict while the Bush Administration and Israeli governments are delaying even a temporary peace through a ceasefire to achieve their political and territorial objectives.
We call upon all people of conscious to be strong and forthright in advocating for fairness, decency, justice and peace. Let us stand against the march towards wider and wider war, and stand for Peace in the Middleast, peace here at home and for the peace of our own souls that will only come from doing what is right, for all.
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The Majilis Ashura of the Greater Atlanta Area is the Muslim leadership body in Metro Atlanta that includes and represents the various Masajid (Mosques) in the area.
