IUMS condemns bombings and attacks in Iraq, urges government response to demands
All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, God’s messenger, his family, companions and followers;
At a time when Iraq needs the efforts of all its giving citizens in order to build a country where there’s room for everyone, especially after years of the American invasion and destruction left behind within the economic and social infrastructure, Iraq has instead become a country sunk in a swamp of dreadful sectarianism and loose security and politics. Amidst this, it appears clearly that the Iraqi government has broken its commitment before history and the people to bring peace, security and coexistence among its people, just as the US caused all these incidents in Iraq despite their promise of turning it into a model for democracy, progress and civilization!
The bombings, attacks and massacres witnessed in the Iraqi seen on Friday and Saturday (May 17th and 18th) which left more than 100 people dead and dozens wounded, came to confirm that Iraq remains in need of many efforts by its sincere people who place the best interest of the country and the people above any other interest be that political or sectarian. Iraq can no longer endure the logic of threats and fright that some sides, especially the government, adopt in handling the deteriorating situation, which leads to increased violence and killing and broadens the circle of sedition which only God knows its extent and hazards.
At the IUMS, we have been pained to see the scenes of killing and destruction taking place every day, which take away many victims of citizens whose only crime is their dream to retain a small part of the dignity they were robbed and a bit of the security they have never enjoyed for years. In addition to this, we were pained to see the violation of the sanctity of places of worship both at mosques and Hussainiat.
As we, at the union, express our deep concern over the situation in Iraq and the daily scenes of killing and explosions there, we declare and affirm the following:
First: condemn all bombings and killings by whatever side and consider human souls and their right to live as a red line, the violation of which is not to be taken lightly as the Quran stated that {if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people} [Quran 5: 32] and as definitive texts prove that killing entails severe punishment and dangerous consequences.
Second: we hold the Iraqi government responsible for the security situation in Iraq due to their choice of the logic of confrontation and using the police mentality in handling the problems of the country in the absence of the needed care to resolve the protesters’ problems, all of which would inevitably lead to a hazardous civil war in Iraq that only God knows its dangers or how it would end.
Third: we warn the Iraqi government to end the assaults on protesters, end the disregard to their legitimate demands and we call it to respond swiftly to these demands without procrastination as this would harm the interests of Iraq, its stability and unity. We also call the protesters to unite and unify their lines and demands, and to form a unified committee of scholars, politicians, and tribal leaders to represent them in negotiations with the government to reach a solution that would satisfy all sides, God wills it.
Fourth: we call all the constituents of the Iraqi nation to abandon violence and remain aloof of all that may stir sectarian strife and clashes among them, to work on unifying the national front through dialogue and peaceful methods on the path to an Iraq where there is room for everyone, an Iraq run by all sides through an independent, national voice.
Fifth: calls on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to devote more attention to Iraq, stand by its side in these trying times by holding negotiations with the Iraqi government in order to respond to protesters’ legitimate demands and so that Iraq will once again know security, stability, unity and play its aspired role.
We ask Allah to protect Iraq and its people, to bring them security and safety, to be merciful to their dead, to provide solace to their families, and to grant the injured speedy recovery, for He is the All Hearer and Best Answerer.
And from Allah is all assistance!
Doha: 10 Rajab 1434 H
Dated: 20 May 2013
Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President