Canadian Muslim Community Shocked and Devastated by France Church Attack

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at mourns the loss of Father Jacques Hamel

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada has been left devastated by the murder of Father Jacques Hamel in a church in Normandy, France. We consider this to be an outrageous and evil attack that can never be justified in any way or under any circumstances. The teachings of the Holy Quran and of the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), are of peace, tolerance and love for humanity.

“All forms of terror and extremism are completely against the true teachings of Islam,” said Mr. Lal Khan Malik, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada. “The Holy Qur’an says to kill even one innocent person is akin to killing all of humanity.”

Today no nation and no group has waged war against Islam. Muslims are living freely here in the West and are able to practice their religion and so Muslims should be grateful for these freedoms. Thus the hatred manifested by terrorists and extremists is completely incomprehensible. Such terrorists and extremists are not defending Islam but rather are serving only to defame and discredit its name and its teachings.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada offers its deepest condolences to the family of Father Jacques Hamel and to all those affected by this tragedy. We further offer our sympathies to Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church and to the people of France. We share in their grief and we share in their outrage.

We pray for peace in the world and for an end to all forms of terrorism, extremism and hatred.