Paris terrorist attack, Arab League, Al-Azhar

Both Al-Azhar and the Arab League have condemned the Paris terrorist attack that occurred Wednesday in France. According to the Arab League “Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris.” Al-Azhar also spoke out against the attack, saying it was a criminal attack and that Islam denounces any violence. Another statement from Abbas Shoman, a senior official with Al-Azhar, said “ the institution does not approve of using violence even if it was in response to an offense committed against sacred Muslim sentiments”. In the past the newspaper whose offices were attacked had published cartoons and pieces of satire that featured the prophet Mohammed, and this angered Muslims and caused radicals to issue threats against Charlie Hebdo.

The Paris terrorist attack was the result of extremists, but Muslims around the world are worried that they could feel a backlash. This may be why the Arab League and Al-Azhar were quick to speak out against the violent act and to show that most Muslims do not condone this type of attack against innocent people. Many Muslims are peaceful individuals who love others and who work hard to better their communities, so holding everyone in the Muslim faith responsible for the actions of a few radicalized extremists would be just as wrong as the Paris terrorist attack itself. Tolerance is the key, and accepting that other s have a right to their thoughts even if we do not always agree with these thoughts. Violence in the name of any deity is wrong and just causes further violence instead of bringing peace.