An individual drove a truck into a Christmas Market in Germany, killing 12 and injuring another 56. The suspected attacker, of Tunisian descent, Anis Amri died in a shootout with police in Milan, Italy. The Islamic State has taken responsibility. The 12 who died were from six different countries and the injured ones from 10 different countries.
As Ahmadi Muslims, we wholeheartedly condemn this latest attack by the so-called Islamic State and we pray for the victims and their families fervently. We wish to point out that the Qur'an equates the killing of one innocent being to the murder of the entirety of mankind. (5:33)
Many in Germany and elsewhere are already pointing to further scrutiny against Muslim immigrants, arguing that such attacks would be preventable with stricter immigration policies. While we endorse adopting sensible security measures to prevent terrorist attacks, we would stress that giving in to an attitude of fear only plays into the hands of extremists. Their goal is to further divide fringe Muslims from Western society. We must unite against such groups and not give in.
To find out more about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and to learn more about true Islam visit www.alislam.org.
Zahid Yousaf
Centreville