Abdelrahman Bakkali Kasmi, Imam of King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Gibraltar, has condemned the terrorist attacks in Beirut and Paris.
In a statement to this newspaper, he called on Muslims to stand united in the face of violence and work towards peace, security and stability.
He said acts of terrorism contradicted the values and principles of Islam, words echoing a similar statement issued in the wake of the attack on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo last January.
“I once again condemn all terrorist operations that have taken place in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and the French capital, Paris, and have resulted in the fall of several victims and a number of injured in both bombings,” he said.
“What has happened in Beirut and Paris and elsewhere ‘is totally and strictly prohibited in Islam.’”
“I also condemn all that affect security in human societies everywhere in the world we live in, and I warn at the same time of violence and counter-violence, which could result in further dissension and disagreement.”
“Such terrorist acts, that target innocent people and souls and seek to destabilize the security and to spread terror in safe communities, contradict the Islamic as well as the humanitarian and international values and principles.”
“Therefore, I recommend the Muslim community in Gibraltar to stand united in the face of this violence and to address whatever causes or leads to such acts of terrorism, and that we work together to achieve peace, security and stability in Gibraltar.”
Gibraltar Chronicle
