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Al-Azhar and Arab League Condemn Paris Terrorist Attack

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.

Masked Gunmen Commit Paris Terrorist Attack Wednesday Morning

Paris terrorist attack, masked gunmen, Charlie Hebdo

In a Paris terrorist attack Wednesday masked gunmen killed 12 people after storming into a weekly newspaper which had used controversial prophet Mohammed caricatures in the past. One of those killed was the editor of the paper, and the masked gunmen escaped in a vehicle after committing the attack. Leaders from around the globe have condemned the Paris attack, with United States President Barack Obama calling it an act of cowardice. The attackers spoke flawless French without any noticeable accent, and they were yelling Allahu Akbar as they ran through the newspaper office shooting staff. The Charlie Hebdo newspaper had printed a number of controversial publications in the past that Muslims found offensive. In defense of the newspaper it had also included satire and poked fun at other religions as well as political figures and government officials.

Charlie Hebdo had been the target of threats in the past from extremists and radicals, but this did not stop the newspaper. Wednesday’s Paris terrorist attack by masked gunmen may have the opposite effect of what extremists intended though. With the entire world condemning the act of violence as barbaric and cowardly the terrorists did not achieve their desired intentions. Instead of creating fear they have united most of the globe into outrage, and this will only increase acts of defiance by other publications as well. All religions hold their deities sacred, but to murder in the name of any deity is wrong. This act of violence has only strengthened the resolve of the USA, Canada, and other countries to stand strong against extremists rather than giving in to terrorism.