We, the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society, the Al Qalam Institute, and the Muslim community of the Ateneo de Davao University condemn the heinous attack at the Roxas Night Market last September 2, 2016, Friday, here in Davao City.
It was a sad and horrifying night for the Davaoeños and for the Philippines.
Fourteen (14) lives lost and more than 60 people injured.
On Saturday morning of September 3, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a “state of lawless violence” in the Philippines following the deadly explosion in Davao City. The Filipino people, especially the Davaoeños are in a state of fear and grief.
This is the reason why we do and advocate dialogue among and between people of different faiths, ideologies, and cultural traditions. We strongly condemn this bombing attack because violence has no place in this world. Innocent people are victimized in this reign of terror and the future of our generation and generations yet to come are at stake. We, Muslims are tired of hearing terrorist attacks being carried out by inherently violent and ignorant people who hijack our religion.
The Abu Sayyaf Group who claim to be Muslims are not Muslims. What they do is not, in any way, according to Islam. This is not Jihad Fyi Sabilillah. Muslims too are killed by these same radicalized terrorists who show a clear manifestation of ignorance in Islamic teachings. Terrorism and Extremism has no religion.
Allah (SWT) forbids the killing of innocent people. According to the Qur’an, one of the greatest sins is to kill a human being who has committed no fault:
“…If someone kills another person, unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth, it is as if he had murdered all mankind.” —(Surat al-Ma’ida: 32)
Will it take yet another news of a horrifying terrorist attack – supposedly carried out in the name of religion – to remind the world of the violence in our midst?
In this context, we find it impossible to practice tolerance in such forms of violence. We will not tolerate violence in the name of Islam!
We need now to unite ourselves, regardless of our differences, in condemning this act of violence. We join together to eliminate the evil plots of people behind these terroristic acts and the narco-pandemic in the country.
We will fix this country together with our President, to stand by him and to collaborate with him.
Let not this heartbreaking event make us helpless and overpowered.
We are stronger than this singular act of violence against humanity.
