San Diego Muslims denounce shooting at Poway Synagogue

Muslim Leadership Council calls on all people of conscience to stand in solidarity against hate and bigotry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2019

The Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego ( www.mlcsd.org ) , an umbrella organization representing over 15 Muslim organizations and mosques based in San Diego, strongly denounces the attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue as inhuman and dastardly in the strongest terms possible. The attack has claimed the life of one worshiper and wounded three others, as the Jewish community observed the last day of the Passover.

“The Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego is horrified with the attack on a place of worship here in San Diego and the hateful murder and injury to our Jewish neighbors,” said Tareq Purmul, Chairman of the MLC. “The hate and terror that is being spread by white supremacy needs to be addressed immediately. We stand with our Jewish neighbors in this time of grief and sorrow,” added Mr. Purmul.

The suspect, a 19 year old white supremacist male has also claimed responsibility for the arson attack on the Islamic Center in Escondido, 9 miles away from the Chabad of Poway Synagogue.

This hateful targeting of our places of worship is an attack on us all and our shared values of faith, diversity and peaceful coexistence. We must strive harder against hate and bigotry in all its forms and at all times. “People of faith have been killed inside their houses of worship multiple times and not seeing a strong action by the President and the administration is disheartening,” said Imam Taha Hassane, Religious Director of the Islamic Center of San Diego.

“These acts of terror are acts of intimidation in the most sacred of places, the houses of worship,” said Ismahan Abdullahi, Executive Director of Muslim American Society’s Public Affairs and Civic Engagement. “As a faith community, we know we will rise above this with love and light for we are stronger than hate.” added Ismahan.

Our hearts mourn deeply tonight for the Jewish community and the victims of this act of terror. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families impacted. We call on all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in this moment of grief.

The Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego is a coalition of the Muslim non-profit institutions and organizations in San Diego County striving to serve and benefit our community. ( Islamic Center of San Diego , Muslim American Society San Diego chapter, Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego chapter , Somali Family Services, Masjid Taqwa, Muslim Community Center of San Diego, Islamic Center of Eastlake, Islamic Community Center, Muslim Community Services of San Diego, We Love Our Neighbors, IQRAA Academy of San Diego, Masjid As Salaam, North County Islamic Foundation, Pillars of The Community San Diego, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans)

CONTACT:Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego

Phone: Adib Mahdy

Email:info@mlcsd.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlcsd/