Al Jamaa al Islamyia in Egypt Condemns Naga Hammadi Attack

The earth and heavens were built on justice. For justice Allah sent Messengers and revealed to them His holy books. The justice of Islam doesn't flatter a Muslim on the expense of a non-Muslim as well as it doesn't refrain to face the injustice even if it is done by a Muslim.

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, may Allah be pleased with him, said.

Thus, we can say that any Muslim group commits injustice to another Muslim or non-Muslim group doesn't deserve to be called "Muslim".

Relying on this, the al Jamaa al Islamyia in Egypt condemns Naga Hammadi attack, which killed six Christians and a Muslim security guard and injured others.

Although the Jamaa has no link at all to this accident, the religious responsibility forces us to present the true Islamic thought about such controversial issues for it is the only way out for many problems of our country, among which is this crisis.

Al Jamaa al Islamyia believes that this drive-by shooting contradicts the basic principles of the Islamic Sharia which prohibits killing people except in the course of justice as Allah says "nor take the life which Allah hath forbidden save in (course of) justice".

The Sharia also forbids killing innocents for a crime committed by others "No laden soul can bear another's load."

The Sharia prohibits generalization of punishment because it is a kind of injustice.

It is not accepted in our religion to do injustice to any human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

Islam guarantees non-Muslims the right to perform their religious rituals and to celebrate their feasts in peace without being terrified.

Al Jamaa al Islamyia wants to tell all Muslims that the state is the only party competent to execute punishments.

Individuals are not permitted to do this job otherwise chaos will prevail.

The state is committing a sin, according to Sharia, if it doesn't punish the wrong doers. However, individuals cannot take this role.

To conclude, we must remind all people that killing non-Muslim innocents is a major sin. We never heard any of the Muslim scholars permitted such an act.

Although it is too early to identify the perpetrator, any excuses will not be accepted.

Whether it was done by an Islamic current, which bishop Chirollos regards as unlikely saying the shooting may be done by outlaws with previous criminal records, or was in retaliation for the rape of a 12-year-old Muslim girl by a Christian youth in the same province, the act is not accepted.

Al Jamaa al Islamyia believes the repeated accidents indicate there are some issues that must be tackled immediately such as:

Muslim masses should learn the true Islamic way to treat Christian fellow citizens. Islam teaches us to deal justly with them and show them kindness. Moreover, Sharia guarantees them the rights and duties just like Muslims.

Law should be fairly applied on whoever commits an aggression against the other.

Extremist orthodox ideas should be faced and evangelization activities should be stopped. The campaigns that aim to offend Islam and its holy Messenger should be also ceased.

The Orthodox Church should take serious measures to stop the growing extremist Christian current abroad.

Such critical issues need the efforts of both Muslims and Christians to cooperate attempting to find appropriate solutions. This will not be done except when honest and loyal citizens gather together inside, not outside, their country to find a way out.

Al Jamaa al Islamyia in Egypt

Translated by: Fatima Suleiman

Back to Statements