Shura Council Mourns Victims of Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina

Garden Grove, CA:  The Islamic Shura Council laments the senseless violence and a horrific crime in Charleston, South Carolina, says a message. It adds:

 We extend the most heartfelt condolences to the families and the loved ones of nine innocent congregants of the Emanuel AME Church, a historic Church that has played a memorable role in the  struggle against racial injustice .

 " All acts of terror are horrific but they are most senseless when the terror is perpetuated upon a people who are peacefully engaged in worship and study of scripture in a sanctuary," said Dr Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council.

 The Shura Council stands in solidarity with the African-American communities and its Executive Director has called their leadership: Senior Pastor Edgar Boyd of the First AME Church, Rev. Norm Copeland , Presiding Elder of the Southern California AME Churches and Pastor William Smart, President of the Southern California Leadership Conference to record our shared grief and prayer.

 As Muslims begin the blessed month of Ramadan, which is a time to reflect beyond the mundane, the Shura Council calls upon the communities to not merely pray but also to strive together with the people of all faiths and traditions to end the senseless gun violence and racial injustices in our society. We also call upon the Imams and Khateebs to lift up the malaise of racism and our collective responsibility to end it.