Cair Anti Terrorism Campaign: Messages From Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf Islahi

The sudden barbaric attack on innocent citizens living in peace is extremely  distressing and deplorable.

Every gentle human heart goes out to the victims of this attack and as humans we are ashamed at the barbarism perpetrated by a few people.

Islam, which is a religion of peace and tolerance, condemns this act and sees this is as a wounding scar on the face of humanity.

I appeal to Muslims to strongly condemn this act, express unity with the victims' relatives, donate blood, money and do whatever it takes to help the affected people.

The search for the terrorists is a big challenge for the authorities, and it is very imperative to hand out exemplary punishment to the culprits, no matter what nation or religion they belong to.

The principles of collective justice should be applied such that no one can ever think again of taking the lives of innocent people. It is also important that no innocent person is implicated, because a criminal act on an innocent person is as abominable as a lack of justice to the perpetrator.

The peaceful citizens and authorities should also keep in mind that synonymy with the names of the terrorists do not brand a whole nation culpable in this crime.

Rouge and devilish minded people can be found in any nation and a whole nation or religion cannot be stereotyped as terrorists due to heinous acts of a few deviant people. Allah blesses a nation with greatness when they fulfill the demands of justice.

It's our human responsibility to soothe and care for those people who have become a victim of this barbarism and horrible act.

The killing of innocent humans is the biggest sin in Islam. Allah says in the Holy Quran.

"If anyone slew a person - unless it be for blood or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people."

Anyone who kills an innocent human being is devoid of the sanctity of human life. He is in fact the murderer of whole humanity.

He is also the assassin of people belonging to his religion or nation. Such depraved people cannot be forgiven in any circumstances and they should be found and brought to justice.

I appeal to Muslims to depend on Allah, seek refuge and help from him. They should always uphold the progress and peace of the country where they live.

They should think of the peaceful atmosphere of this country as a blessing from Allah and value it.

May Allah protect you all.