Assalamu Alaykum dear Community Members,

The terrorist and deviant group ISIS and its sympathizers once more have killed and maimed scores of people in a European city. In the past 2 years, ISIS and its sympathizers have carried 75 terrorist attacks in 20 countries other than Iraq and Syria. In these two countries, as we all know, they have murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent people. ISIS is truly the scourge of our planet. No one – Muslims and non-Muslims alike – is safe from their ideology and their actions. At the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS), we stand with all peaceful citizens of the Earth in condemning this destructive and unholy group.

Whenever these attacks happen, mosques and Muslim communities in many parts of the world, including here in the United States, become the target of hate crimes, hate speech and vandalism. We have been in touch today with federal authorities and there is no specific information indicating that any of our local communities in the State of Washington is being targeted. Still, we remind everyone to remain vigilant and if you “see something, say something”. Do report any unusual behavior or activity to local authorities immediately.

We pray for a day when the world will be rid of terror, when all children need not fear to go out and play and when all people, irrespective of nationality, race and faith, can live together in peace.

Ameen

Mahmood Khadeer

MAPS President