WASHINGTON, DC — Leaders of Arab-American and American Muslim groups met today and issued the following statement:
We condemn in no uncertain terms the horrifying attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11. We are shocked and angered by such brutality and share all the emotions of our fellow citizens about these attacks, which target all Americans without exception. We firmly believe that there can be no justification for such horrible acts. We join with the nation in calling for the perpetrators of this terrible crime to be brought swiftly to justice.
We commend the statements of Attorney General John Ashcroft, Secretary of State Colin Powell and the numerous senators and members of Congress who have cautioned against attempts to stigmatize the Arab-American and American Muslim communities or blame them for this tragedy. We urge our fellow Americans, the government and media to follow their example and not assign any form of collective guilt against communities for the crimes of individuals.
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Arab American Institute (AAI)
American Committee on Jerusalem (ACJ)
American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
American Muslim Council (AMC)
Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine (CPAP)
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Islamic Institute