Muslims, worldwide leaders and ordinary people, respond to the Westminster bridge attack in London…and the attack on a school in Syria

London is shaken. Syria is shaken. We are all shaken. People of all faiths, races and backgrounds by what has unfolded at the Westminster bridge in London on Wednesday and the attack on a school in Syria.

One man. One psycho. One mentally-deranged man went on a rampage first in his car on the Westminster bridge to kill whoever comes in his path on the bridge and then ramming into the gate, followed with trying to knife as he ran around before being shot down by the police.

That was a brief summary of the attack that has so far left 5 dead and many other injured, some critically. Muslim Council of Hong Kong, along with every other sane person, regardless of our beliefs, condemn this attack just like we condemn any other similar attack happening in other parts of the world, such as recently a US-led coalition air strike in Syria kills more than 30 people in school.

But sadly, with every such attack, Muslims especially are in the spotlight again since the attacker is being reported as being a ‘Muslim’ and the #NotInMyName are being cried out, whilst the fear of Islamophobia grows. Here are how Muslims are responding for those who want to know:

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

I strongly condemn the terror attack in London. The Turkish people share the pain of the United Kingdom.

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) March 22, 2017

Malaysia Prime Minister Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak

Shocked & saddened by London attack. My thoughts & prayers with innocents affected. M'sia stands with UK. Must never surrender to terrorism.

— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) March 23, 2017

Muslim Council of Britain

Muslim Council of Britain statement on attack in Westminster https://t.co/4isOfWxnQa pic.twitter.com/ucFkySiTwI

— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) March 22, 2017

East London Mosque

Our thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in the attack at #Westminster today. We are sad to learn an individual has passed away.

— East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre (@elondonmosque) March 22, 2017

American Law Professor Khaled Beydoun

https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/844666065753964544

Ex-Guantanamo Prisoner Moazzam Begg

Cowardly attacks in one place don't justify cowardly attacks in another. Thoughts with victims of #londonattack and expected backlash

— Moazzam Begg (@Moazzam_Begg) March 22, 2017

American Imam Omar Suleiman

https://twitter.com/omarsuleiman504/status/844603641638141956

World-Renowned Mufti Ismail Menk

There will always be people who try to divide us. This is the time we need to stay strong & united. Pray for peace. Pray for humanity.

— Mufti Menk (@muftimenk) March 23, 2017

British Muslim Organisation iERA

iERA Statement on the #London Terror Attack: https://t.co/29havlUmKf #WestminsterAttack pic.twitter.com/3Ok6CJoZue

— The Prophetic Mission (@Prophetic_M) March 22, 2017

American Imam Suhaib Webb

Disgusted by these horrible people. Love and prayers for London and the victims of this terrible attack. https://t.co/quHLf3ZHEC

— suhaib Webb (@ImamSuhaibWebb) March 22, 2017

Award Winning Trainer Anj Baig

I may be muslim but i'm British too.
I am against terrorism and idiots hijacking my religion for their own political gain.😢🙏🏻 #londonattack

— Anj Baig (@AnjPMG) March 22, 2017

British Muslim Amar Alam iterates this attack wasn’t about a Muslim upon a Non-Muslim

Let’s be clear about one thing regarding the disgusting attack that happened at Westminster today. The lunatic who perpetrated the attack, killing and injuring innocent people including a police officer, did not check to see if his victims were Muslims or not.

Westminster Bridge could have been lined with Muslims today, yet it would have made no difference to the one who perpetrated the attack. He had one single aim and that was to indiscriminately kill as many people as possible, no matter their race or religion.

So it is important that we are aware of this fact before Muslims are blamed for what happened, because these people are as much the enemies of Muslims as they are of non-Muslims.

It could have been any one of us (Muslims) or our loved ones who had been killed or injured on that bridge today.

There are many similar voices, mindsets and emotions of not just Muslims, but again people of all faiths at an event which shouldn’t make Muslims being forced to condemn – any sane human would naturally feel the disgust.

And finally, just for the record, here are a few statements from the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which are put forward again and again whenever such an event happens to disassociate Islam from such acts.

“Whoever kills an innocent person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity…”

[Qur’ān 5:32]

“There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion…”

[Qur’ān 2:256]

“None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

[Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) | Bukhari & Muslim]

“Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to people.”

[Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) | Bukhari & Muslim]

We humbly urge all communities to compassionately stand firm against all acts of violence upon innocents in every single land. We must not let these terrorists, warmongers and bigots (Muslims and Non-Muslims alike) divide us.

Let us not play into their evil narrative, and instead show them that people of all faiths and backgrounds can live peacefully together.

Our thoughts and prayers are, and should be, with everyone.