Mississauga – April 21, 2019 –​ ​The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) issued the following statement condemning today’s attacks on Churches and Hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.

“We offer our condolences to the victims and their families affected by this terrorist attack. Our thoughts and earnest prayers are with our Christian brothers and sisters as well as others impacted in Sri Lanka during this extremely difficult time.

The sanctity of human life is one of the most fundamental, and universal, values that faith mandates and society aims to protect. The Quran declares that ‘if anyone killed a person, not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. ’ (5:32). Attacks on houses of worship are even more heinous as they target a place of sanctuary.

Those who target communities of faith and specifically seek to terrorize worshippers aim to sow hatred and attack our bonds of humanity and respect for human dignity. Coming together in humanity with love, respect, and mutual support is our moral imperative and the only effective means of rejecting hatred.

We stand with all Canadians in denouncing this act. We urge the Canadian Muslim community to reach out to those of our neighbours in the Canadian Sri Lankan community in their grief.

As we approach the month of Ramadan, a month of reflection and empathy, we pray for the wisdom and strength to uphold the values that unite us and push back the rising tide of hatred, violence, and xenophobia.”

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For further information on MAC, please contact: +1 (905) 822-2626

Muslim Association of Canada www.macnet.ca