1. CAIR Condemns Mumbai Attacks:
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/27/08) - A national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned attacks on a number of sites in the Indian financial capital of Mumbai that left at least 100 people dead and many more injured. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken during the attacks. Witnesses say the attackers sought out American and British citizens.
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said: “We condemn these cowardly attacks and demand that all hostages taken by the attackers be released immediately and unconditionally. We offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured in these senseless and inexcusable acts of violence against innocent civilians. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens of all faiths in repudiating acts of terror wherever they take place and whomever they target.”
The Washington-based group also asked the Indian government to protect all its citizens from the type of retaliatory attacks that have taken place following similar incidents in the recent past.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail:
arubin@cair.com 2. MPAC CONDEMNS MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS
(Washington, DC - 11/26/08) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council today condemned a series of seven terror attacks in Mumbai, India, which have left at least 80 dead, and more than 900 injured. According to media reports, about 40 British nationals and other foreigners are currently being held hostage at a Mumbai hotel.
According to media reports, gunmen armed with automatic weapons and grenades hit two five-star hotels, a cafe, a train station and other sites in coordinated attacks. The targets included businesses frequented by international visitors in the city, which is India's financial center.
Those responsible for these brutal and immoral attacks should be swiftly brought to justice. Islam considers the use of terrorism to be unacceptable for any purpose.
"We at MPAC extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the Indian people. As Americans, we are familiar with the imminent and the long-term repercussions of terrorism," said Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "Here at home, we remain committed to combating, rejecting and effectively countering the scourge of terrorism in all forms."
[CONTACT: Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443,
communications@mpac.org]