The terrorist attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on 7 January, which claimed 12 lives (total casualty now comes at 17), has evoked worldwide condemnation, and blame on Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad as well as on so-called Muslim terrorists. The Muslim leaders have also equally condemned the bid to publish blasphemous cartoons and misuse rather abuse of freedom of expression. Some of them have demanded from the French government to protect the minorities.
All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat: Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, president All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, in a statement on 8 January, said: “We unreservedly condemn the coward terrorist attack on a Paris magazine Charlie Hebdo’s office in which a dozen innocent people lost their precious lives.”
Dr. Khan further said that Islam and Muslims reject murder of innocents of any faith or nationality. He said only courts of law are authorised to sentence people and only a properly constituted Muslim state can declare Jihad.
Dr Khan said that faceless individuals and clandestine organisations do not have power to dispense justice and take lives. This is the neo-Kharijite ideology which is rejected by an overwhelming majority of Muslims all over the world. He added that freedom of expression must be respected in all civilised societies but it should be limited to constructive criticism and should not abuse icons and scriptures held sacred by believers of different faiths.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, in a statement on 8 January, termed as condemnable and violation of popular human values and laws the attack by unknown persons on the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, a French magazine which has had a consistent condemnable record of insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) for the last several years.
Nusrat Ali, Secretary General of the Jamaat, said the attitude of the French magazine has been hurting and insulting the people belonging to not just Islam but also other religions the world over; so the present sad incident is being deemed as an act of revenge against the magazine. “But the truth and real motive can be known only through a responsible probe of the bloody attack. Whatever be the reasons, giving up of the peaceful means of legal fight and resorting to killing to address the grievances can neither be praised nor encouraged,” he said.
The JIH leader said a campaign is going on against Islam and the Islamic world and the French magazine has been part of this negative campaign, but one cannot reject the possibility that the bloody attack on its office could be part of the organised conspiracy to malign Islam and target Muslims. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the French government to bring to the fore the truth about the incident through a neutral and just probe to end speculations and prosecute the real culprits. He urged the government of France to ask the national media to desist from mocking religions and their revered personalities, to protect human rights and create a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere in the country and the world.
Welfare Party of India: Welfare Party of India strongly condemned the killing of people of a French magazine Charlie Hebdo and two policemen. Welfare Party national general secretary PC Hamza in a statement said perpetrators of such brutal actions deserve no mercy and have to be harshly dealt with. Welfare Party conveyed its deepest condolence to the aggrieved families. He urged the French government to conduct thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, desist from pre-assumptions. As there can be many parties involved in fishing in these troubles waters, all angles should be taken into consideration, the statement continued. The party leader particularly drew attention to the fact that in recent days there was widespread support for the Palestine state in Europe. Many parliaments had passed resolutions extending approval of the Palestine state in spite of resistance and criticism.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: Acting Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maqbul Ahmed on 10 January condemned the heinous terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo office and expressed concern over similar terrorist attacks on several mosques in France.
“We severely condemn terrorist attacks on religion and religious establishments and mosques. We hope the government of France would take due measures to find out the criminals, ensure their punishment, stop terrorist attacks and protect religious rights of all,” he said.
Muslim Brotherhood: Dr. Azzam Tamimi and Mohamed Soudan, leaders of Muslim Brotherhood, on 8 January denounced the armed attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Mohamed Soudan, Foreign Relations Secretary of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm), said: “We condemn this criminal attack on the newspaper.
“No-one should rush into accusing Muslims of committing this crime. The matter should be left to investigators. Whoever is behind this is guilty of an unjustifiable crime… True Islam does not encourage violence.”
On his part, Dr. Azzam Tamimi, leading member of Muslim Brotherhood in Britain, condemned the attack, adding: “If the perpetrators are indeed Muslims, that would have negative repercussions on Muslims in Europe as a whole, and in particular France. Right-wing extremists will try to use the incident to achieve political ends.”
Muslim Council of Britain: The Muslim Council of Britain reiterated its condemnation of the barbarous murder of journalists at the French newspaper. The attack has been condemned by Muslims in France, in Europe and around the world. In France, the French Muslim Council (CFCM) said: “This extremely grave barbaric action is also an attack against democracy and the freedom of the press.”
Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General MCB said: “Nothing justifies the taking of life. Those who have killed in the name of our religion today claim to be avenging the insults made against Prophet Muhammad, to whom be peace. But nothing is more immoral, offensive and insulting against our beloved Prophet than such a callous act of murder….
“… As Muslims we are ever mindful of our Lord’s injunction to convey our true faith with wisdom and beautiful words. Indeed in the noble Qur’ān we are told: ‘The true servants of the Merciful are those who walk humbly on the earth and when the ignorant address them they say: Peace.’
“In addition, while Muslims must engage with fellow citizens in a spirit of dialogue and friendship, we must all come together to seek unity and defy the terrorists whose only aim is to divide us. The best defence against closed minds is for a truly open society, welcoming of all.”
The MCB also expressed solidarity with the Jewish community following the news that hostages were killed at a Kosher supermarket in Paris.
Dr. Tariq Ramadan: Dr. Tariq Ramadan, a well-known Muslim scholar, reportedly said:
“Charlie Hebdo: NO! NO! NO!
“Contrary to what was apparently said by the killers in the bombing of Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters, it is not the Prophet who was avenged, it is our religion, our values and Islamic principles that have been betrayed and tainted. My condemnation is absolute and my anger is profound (healthy and a thousand times justified) against this horror!!!
“Allow me to express my deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims.”
Catholic League’s Bill Donohue: Catholic League’s Bill Donohue, in his comments headlined “Muslims are Right to Be Angry” said:
“Killing in response to insult, no matter how gross, must be unequivocally condemned. That is why what happened in Paris cannot be tolerated. But neither should we tolerate the kind of intolerance that provoked this violent reaction.
“Those who work at this newspaper have a long and disgusting record of going way beyond the mere lampooning of public figures, and this is especially true of their depictions of religious figures….
“What unites Muslims in their anger against Charlie Hebdo is the vulgar manner in which Muhammad has been portrayed. What they object to is being intentionally insulted over the course of many years. On this aspect, I am in total agreement with them.
“Stephane Charbonnier, the paper’s publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad that he didn’t understand the role he played in his tragic death….”
Turkish President and Prime Minister: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 7 January harshly condemned the deadly assault on the French satirical magazine.
In a written statement, Erdogan said, “We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo Magazine in Paris today that has killed 12 and injured 20 people.”
The president extended his condolences to the “friend and ally” country France and said he expected the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible. He stressed that “terrorism has no religion or nationality and no excuse can be given for it.”
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also condemned the deadly attack saying “Nothing can justify this kind of terror act.”
Davutoglu said it is necessary, now more than never, for all countries to take a collective attitude against these kinds of attacks, as well as against racism and xenophobia. This is in order to achieve a world without terror and where cultural peace and mutual respect prevail, he added.
“This terror attack cannot be linked with Islam. Any connection established between Islam and these activities is wrong,” Davutoglu said.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has denounced “terrorism” and violence committed in the name of Islam, after the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
Rouhani said “violence and terrorism is reprehensible whether in this region, in Europe or in the United States”.
“Those who kill and carry out violent and extremist acts unjustly in the name of jihad, religion or Islam provoke Islamophobia whether they wish it or not,” said Rouhani.
Iran condemned the attack, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham saying “all acts of terrorism against innocent people are alien to the doctrine and teachings of Islam.”
Imam Ahmad Khatami, the key leader of Friday prayers, reiterated that view in his weekly sermon: “Islam does not allow the killing of innocents, be it in Paris, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan or Afghanistan,” he said, adding he “vigorously condemns “the Paris carnage.
French Website Blames Mossad for “France’s 9-11”:A French website (http://lamatricejuive.net), in an article entitled “Charlie Hebdo un attentat cousu de fil blanc…” (Charlie Hedbo – An Attack Sewn With Invisible Thread) published on 7 January, blamed Israeli intelligence agency for the heinous terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo.
David Massada translated this article into English for henrymakow.com which published it on 8 January. The article as translated by David Massada runs inter alia:
“There we have it, an attack to mobilize France to the Jewish cause, to make people indignant and for the media to blow on the embers. This attack strikes at the heart of the Jewish supremacist satirical organ, Charlie Hebdo.
“What a woe! What horror! We live in such satanic times. Terror attacks just have to multiply so the powers that be can take extreme liberty-killing measures, all with people’s shocked consent. It’s sewn with invisible thread. It’s so obvious that anybody a little bit aware can’t but fall into the trap.
“This is a false flag of the worst kind. A false flag perpetrated by Mossad agents who will be without a doubt extricated to Israel or probably killed. In any case, it’s for certain that the police will never catch them alive, so people will never know who planned that mass murder. They will only know what the powers that be (the supremacist power) want them to know. Be prepared for an assault of Zionist’s propaganda at national level. France was waiting for her 9/11, she now has it at last…
“Don’t forget they’ve been preparing this in spirit for weeks. Since the attack on the Jewish museum of Brussels, the burglary at a Jewish house, and the disgraceful rantings of the Jew Eric Zemmour, and so to Charlie Hebdo, the satirical hero at the hands of the Jewish supremacist power, housed in Rothschild premises. In other words, those cartoonists were inside the wolf’s lair and did not survive. Peace to their souls….”
“We will wait for news to understand until where they wish to go. [Francois] Hollande called for “national unity”, but for which nation? France? No, I don’t think so. We’re going to be rushed into a deadly and bloody struggle between Jews and Arabs. We are going to be in the front line to defend freedom of speech (of Jews), to impose liberty (of Jews), and by doing so to favor the takeover of our country by those Jewish supremacists ready to all extend for just that….”
Yakub Qureshi’s ‘Rs 51cr reward’ statement slammed: Muslim leaders have slammed ex-Uttar Pradesh minister Yakub Qureshi’s statement saying he would reward Rs 51 crore to terrorists who attacked Charlie Hebdo office. “We condemn Qureshi’s statement and people like him should be put behind the bars,” cleric Maulana Mohammad Sajid Rashidi.
Community leaders say such remarks are made for publicity and defame Muslims. Some are planning to issue a memorandum against politicians who give such statements and do ‘disservice’ to the community.
Muslim leaders underlined Islam never allows anyone to kill and instead talks about peace.
“It’s a very irresponsible statement and a crime in itself. There is no purpose for the said sensational statement except to gain publicity,’’ said All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat president Zafarul-Islam Khan. “The government should take notice of this statement and ask Qureshi about the source of such huge amount of money and how the same will be remitted outside the country.’’
He said Qureshi should be punished as his offer is a crime and seeks to reward and promote another crime.
All India Shia Personal Law Board spokesman Maulana Yasoob Abbas called Qureshi’s statement “childish” and sought strict action against him failing which such elements would feel emboldened.