The Christchurch Mosque Attacks

Calamities abound in our small world, and not a day goes by, without the media  chronicling the many disasters striking around: cyclonic storms, devastating floods; forest fires, landslides, earthquakes, Tsunamis, etc.  Even more despairing is the case of the many man-made disasters afflicting humanity: religious extremism; political fanaticism; racism; intolerance and oppression of minority groups; national chauvinism and xenophobia; political repression and terrorism; genocidal violence; civic strife and internal wars, etc. Indeed, all the Signs of our times testify to the many troubles engulfing our planet. In his Friday Sermon of 22 March 2019~14 Rajab 1440 AH Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) continues the reflective series on Islam and international terrorism today. 

Speaking against the backdrop of the recent massacre at Christchurch/New Zealand where a white terrorist went on a rampage with semi-automatic weapons in two mosques, killing 50 Muslim devotees attending Jumu'ah prayers, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) underscores the importance of prayer, peace, love and dialogue to restore the world on an even keel. 

Noting that terrorism and other forms of violence in society is "a reflection of hatred and horror", Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) points to the critical role (nature and type) of political leadership in shaping social attitudes, including on questions of national identity, minority rights, diversity and accommodation in multicultural democracies. The brazen demonisation of Islam and its adherents by maverick politicians in positions of influence in the West often fuel white supremacist ideologies, equipping them with ammunition. Right-wing fanaticism being fanned by the likes of Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen with their ultra-racist visions of white dominance encourage prejudice against, and hatred of, the Muslims in their societies and elsewhere, producing the killer-maniacs like the terrorist shooter in the present case. Yet, the crisis also revealed the leadership skills of Prime Minister Jacinda Aarden of New Zealand, wiping the tears of the victims and taking a policy stand on confronting the evil of Islamophobia in the West. Be that as it may, the responses of many western political leaders to the mindless attack on innocent people also reveal, in its wake, the global fault lines that exist on issues of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence. In a world riven with anti-Muslim prejudice, hatred against Islam and the killing of Muslims is the 'new normal'? May Allah (swt) have mercy on suffering humanity, including Muslims who suffer  hatred, prejudice and injustice in different lands, Aameen.  

Read the Friday Sermon Below:

“Anti-Islamic” Terrorism

Do you remember that last Friday the 15^th of March, Allah (swt) directed me to deliver my sermon on Islam and terrorism? You can imagine then that this is what is called a Divine Manifestation. We must pray a lot for the salvation of Islam and the entire Muslim nation, for all our brothers, sisters and children around the world so that Allah protects us all from the evil of anti-Islamic countries and Islamophobic people. Insha-Allah, Ameen.

It is heartbreaking that such terrorist acts are being committed against Muslims. The big powers accuse Muslims of being terrorists while we all know that Islam is a religion of peace. The message of Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is addressed not only to Muslims but also to those who have not accepted Islam and who forms part of this message.

Our beloved Prophet (pbuh) addressed humanity. The message of Islam is a message of peace, love and dialogue. These are the essential elements needed to maintain good relations with people because without good relations, life would be like living in a forest surrounded by ferocious animals.

Terrorism is not part of religion / faith. Terrorism is a reflection of hatred and horror. The deadly attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand last Friday is a proof that Islamophobia has become a tool of propaganda and hatred and expresses a desire to exterminate Muslims around the world.

What security is there for Muslims living in countries that harbour Islamophobic people?

The barbarous act in New Zealand killed 50 men, women and children. They were coldly murdered inside two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand where they had gathered as usual to perform the Friday prayer (Jummah). This is the record of the terrorist attack perpetrated by the Australian, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who in a document of 73 pages, confessed his crime and explains the motives behind this despicable act against peaceful believers. He also expresses his regret at not having been able to reach his third target, the Ashburton Mosque, his little (planned) “Bonus”. 

The Era of Right-wing Fanaticism

His sources of inspiration, he says himself, are the right-wing European and other French political parties headed by Marine Le Pen, and Donald Trump, whom he calls “a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose”. He also refers in his document to Anders Breivik, the Norwegian terrorist, author of the killing of Oslo and Utoya. He assumes without regret or remorse his deeds and actions and the terrorist he is deserves therefore the most severe punishment that exists.

These terrorist attacks were rightly condemned by most of the leaders of the world, some of whose words were only on the lips, such as the American president who, while condemning the author of these attacks, found that the ideology of the white nationalists is not a threat to peace in the world. In fact, he is deeply criticised by the democrats who find in him the symbol of the renewal of the white racist ideology, whose hostility to Muslims through his hate speech and his declared anti-Muslim policies are, directly or indirectly, responsible for this horrible carnage in a country known for respecting its ethnic and cultural diversity.

PM Jacinda Ardern: A Leader in a Crisis

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern personally went to the families of the victims to express their condolences after addressing the nation what she calls “one of the darkest days” of her country. She unreservedly condemns this terrorist attack on two mosques and claims that those responsible for them have no place in her country or anywhere in the world.

She said during a Press Conference at Parliament on 15 March 2019, “We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are an enclave for extremism. We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things. Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those who share our values, refuge for those who need it. And those values, I can assure you, will not, and cannot, be shaken by this attack.”

This statement by the New Zealand Prime Minister is certainly a comfort to the families of the victims of these terrorist attacks and will help Insha-Allah to reassure them and especially to reassure those who have chosen New Zealand as their country of adoption. 

Our deepest condolences

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and I, in my capacity as Spiritual Leader and Caliph of Allah, condemn these terrorist attacks and offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the people of New Zealand who are supporting with all their heart our Muslim brothers, sisters and children from different nations, as well as the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks of 15 March 2019. We are wholeheartedly with this country and pray that the New Zealand society regain its serenity and the legendary peace that has always characterized it.

The victims came from all over the world, countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and also Mauritius. During the Friday prayer in the afternoon of 15 March 2019, Brenton Tarrant opened fire inside the Al-Noor Mosque in downtown Christchurch. He then headed to the Islamic centre of Linwood five kilometres away and continued his carnage.

These attacks against two mosques in Christchurch left 50 dead and 50 wounded, and among them was a Mauritian who also fell under the bullets of the terrorist. His name is Moosid Mohamed Hossen, 53 years old.

On my own behalf and on behalf of all members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, I once again wish to express our heartfelt sympathies to all these families, as well as the family of this Mauritian who was the victim of this tragic event. May Allah have mercy on them and grant them a high place in the Heavenly Garden. Ameen. 

Anti-Muslim Violence and Global Duplicity

I hope that the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and the entire Arab world will stop “turning a deaf ear” on matters relating to the events happening in Kashmir, China, Syria , India, Burma, Myanmar etc.

I deplore the fact that only a few countries and heads of state have spoken out against this attack and described it as a terrorist act, while others like Italy have not spared its sarcastic words against the attack in itself. Its few current ministers are known to be Islamophobic, and defenders of white rights/ supremacy. The far-right Italian Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini condemned the attacks only on the lips, for show because the eyes of the world are on him, but then he added: “The only extremism deserving attention is the Islamic one.” There are only a few who have described Brenton Tarrant as a terrorist, otherwise most say he’s just a shooter. What hypocrisy! If this same person had a Muslim name and killed non-Muslims, he would have immediately been labelled a terrorist. 

In solidarity: Pray for victims of calamities

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam remains in solidarity with the Muslims of New Zealand, and feel the grief of the bereaved families. This is certainly a very hard trial for them. We hope that the New Zealand authorities take the necessary measures and that the international community condemns this act of barbarism throughout. 

Let us pray for the innocent people who have been killed. Let us pray to God that their souls rest in peace. Innocent people were killed in a sacred place. Pray to the Creator to grant them the Jannat-ul-Firdaus. Pray for our Muslim brothers, sisters and children from all over the world who are suffering. 

And let’s pray also for all the innocent victims and homeless of recent calamities around the world, such as Mozambique, where cyclone Idai has done lots of damages, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Papua-New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, among others which were affected by floods and landslides, fires, tornadoes and diseases. Insha-Allah, Ameen, Summa Ameen, Ya Rabbal Aalameen.