Islam is a religion of peace

by Muhammad Ali

"I am a Muslim. I am an American. As an American Muslim, I want to express my deep sadness and anguish at the tremendous loss of life that occurred on Tuesday (September 11, 2001).

Islam is a religion of peace. Islam does not promote terrorism or the killing of people.

I cannot sit by and let the world think that Islam is a killing religion. It hurts me to see what radical people are doing in the name of Islam. These radicals are doing things that God is against. Muslims do not believe in violence.

If the culprits are Muslim, they have twisted the teachings of Islam. Whoever performed, or is behind, the terrorist attacks in the United States of America does not represent Islam. God is not behind assassins. Anyone involved in this must pay for their evil.

Hatred caused this tragedy and adding to the hatred that already exists in the world will not help. Instead, we should try to understand each other better.

Americans are warm, loving and hospitable people, and we share many of the same values. I ask that churches and synagogues all across the nation invite representatives of the Islamic faith into their places of worship, to better understand Islam. This could help us all respect each other more.

I pray that God blesses the people and families of those who were killed, and our great country."

-------------------

Above is the text of Public Statement from Muhammad Ali.

me

we!





[as related by george plimpton: at the end of a commencement speech at harvard, ali was asked by shouts from the crowd to deliver one of his spontaneous poems, and this is what he gave.]