(Orange, CA | March 15, 2019)
The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, an umbrella organization of over 75 Islamic center and organization in Southern California, express its strongest condemnation to the terror attacks that took place earlier at two mosques in New Zealand.
Our hearts go out to the innocent victims and their families, we cannot fathom the grief and suffering of someone who receives the news about losing a loved one who was worshiping during the holiest time of the week.
The pain we all felt after hearing the news about this heinous act of terror is a clear manifestation of the vitality of the umma and its unity, and a clear sign that humanity at large rejects aggression and terror.
We strongly believe that nothing will affect us unless it was decreed for us, we also abide but the Prophetic advice of the importance of taking all measures to protect ourselves, being vigilant and alert for any suspicious activities.
The community leadership is in constant discussion on how to handle the aftermath of this incident by conducting safety workshops and contacting local law enforcement agencies to increase patrols at our institutions.
We are also conferring with mental health professionals on the best practices to heal the community and its members, especially the vulnerable ones.
The Shura Council offers its prayers and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and ask God Almighty to grant the souls of the martyrs the Highest Stations of Paradise, to heal the maimed and wounded, to ease the profound heartache of their families, loved ones, friends, and the entire Christchurch community.
We thank those who have already reached out to their Muslim friends and neighbors in solidarity and support.
We also thank our member organizations who released a statement condemning this attack expressing the feelings of their congregants.
We thank the law enforcement departments who are increasing their efforts and measures around Islamic organizations to protect and secure our community.
Here is a compilation of statements from USCMO and several of our member organizations expressing their concerns:
Islamic Center of Southern California
Guidelines from Shura Council:
1- Please read the statements issued by these organizations as it will give you a sense of how our community members are expressing their feelings.
2- Assure worshipers that everything is in the hand of Allah
“Say nothing will afflict us , except what allah has decreed in us”
(قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ (51
And the ahadith supporting this meaning are many.
حديث ابن عباس
عنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: كُنْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمًا فَقَالَ: يَا غُلَامُ إِنِّي أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ، احْفَظِ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ، احْفَظِ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ، إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ، وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ، رُفِعَتِ الْأَقْلَامُ، وَجَفَّتِ الصُّحُفُ)
It’s important that we don’t panic and keep our calm and have our trust in Allah.
3- while we strongly believe that Allah is the best protector ,
والله خير حافظا
We still abide by the prophetic advice
اعقل وتوكل.
We strongly advise all our worshipers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity thy see at the masjid.
4- the sadness and outrage that all Muslims around the world felt is a clear manifestation of the lively good. If the umma and that we are as the prophet said , one body , when one part of it aches, The Whole body feels it.
5- our death time is set ,
لا يستقدمون ساعة ولا يستأخرون.
Those who were killed in the terrorist attach are shaheeds inshalah, dying in the masjid right around Juma prayer time is a good sign for them inshallah.
This should not be a deterrence for worshipers from attending masjid. We just need to be alert and vigilant.
6- the leaders of the community are in touch with police departments and sherries department to increase security around masajid. And do conduct mass shooting trainings for our community. We advise our worshipers to attend them when they are arranged by the masjid.
7- Our community’s mental health especially the young ones is extremely important to be assessed. There are many Islamic mental health professionals whom the masjid can invite to help the community heal from this tragic news.
Khalil center and Sh suhail Millia offered their help to anyone who lenses it.
8- Finally, we pray for those who were killed and their families and ask Allah to give them patients and strength to go through this turmoil and go back to their normal lives in their beautiful and loving country.