November 17, 2015

Fethullah Gülen’s message of condemnation and condolence about the Paris attacks

M. Fethullah Gülen

I am deeply shaken on learning that more than a hundred innocent people have lost their lives, and many more have been injured, as a result of a horrible attack in Paris. No matter why this attack was committed, or who committed it, I once more strongly condemn every kind of terrorist act.
 
Any kind of terrorist act is the severest blow to peace. Such heinous acts are absolutely unacceptable crimes that must be condemned by everybody. In instances such as this, there are no excuses to hide behind; there are no “howevers” or “buts.”

Life is the most sacred and universal value. Terrorism is, first of all, a threat to this value we all share, making it the most corrupted human act ever seen on earth. No true religion or religious understanding can be so corrupt as to approve of it.

Islam unequivocally condemns and forbids terrorism. The Holy Qur’an states that he who kills a soul will be as if he had killed all mankind. Muslims regard human life asan essential value that must be protected – for all people.

A Muslim is only a representative of peace, and must always be so. For this reason, it is not possible for a genuine Muslim to be a terrorist. Violence is antithetical to true Islam.

I wish a quick recovery for those who are injured in this inhuman massacre in Paris. I offer my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, and to the entire people of France in the person of the French president, Mr. François Hollande.

Published on fgulen.com, 15 November 2015, Sunday

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