NYC terror attack shocks American Muslims

The scene of the 2017 New York City attack approximately an hour after  it took place Photo Credit: Gh9449/Wikimedia Commons

Outraged at the loss of eight lives in Tuesday’s terror attack in Manhattan, American Muslims have termed it an unacceptable crime against humanity and against Islam’s message of peace and respect for life.

New York City officials say the suspect, who rammed a pickup truck into a bike lane in lower Manhattan, and has been in Police custody, is an Uzbek, who came to the United States in 2010.

In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the  largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, deplored the attack as horrific and cowardly.

“CAIR condemns today’s horrific and cowardly attack in Manhattan and offers sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured,” the Council said.

The advocacy organization saw the terror attack as aimed at dividing the nation.

“Since the goal of such heinous crimes is to divide our nation, it is incumbent on Americans of all faiths and backgrounds to frustrate that criminal objective by standing united in the face of terror.”

In Washington, American Muslim Institution expressed solidarity with victims.

“The targeting of innocent people is absolutely unacceptable as it violates Islam’s fundamental message of peace and respect for human life,” Ambassador Islam Siddiqui, President of American Muslim Institution said.

The Quranic principle clearly states – who so ever kills an innocent person, it is as if he killed all humanity, and whoever saves the life of one person, it is as if he saved all humanity, the AMI said in a statement.

“American Muslims are a peaceful community of people who believe in the dignity of human life and hard work, like other citizens across the United States, and who are only looking to pursue their dreams for a better life,” Ambassador Siddiqui noted.

A report in The Washington Post cited officials as describing the attack in Manhattan as as domestic terrorism. But investigators are also looking for any connections the 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov might have with international terror groups.