Muslim Americans repudiate Seattle Shooting
Well, it’ s not exactly good news; that would be that it was all a hoax and no one died, but this is the real world. It’s nice to know that our fellow Americans stand by us and are willing to say so publicly.
MPAC UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMNS SEATTLE MURDER
Los Angeles, 7/29/06 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council unequivocally condemns the murder of one person and the wounding of five others at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle yesterday afternoon. In addition, MPAC expresses its deep condolences to the Jewish Federation and the families of the victims and prays for the speedy recovery of
those injured by this crime motivated by hate. According to the Seattle Times, Naveed Afzal Haq, 30, of Everett, WA, burst into the offices of the Jewish Federation shortly after 4pm PST and opened fire with a handgun. Haq reportedly has a history of mental illness and court records show a charge of lewd conduct pending against him in Benton County, WA.
Responding to the concern that Haq may not have been acting alone, FBI officials stated it was unlikely he had links to any group. [There is] “nothing to indicate he is part of a larger organization” said David Gomez, assistant special agent in charge of counterterrorism for the FBI’s Seattle office.
MPAC contacted its partner organization in Los Angeles, the Progressive Jewish Alliance, and also contacted the Wilshire Blvd. Temple, to communicate concerns over this dreadful incident. MPAC is currently trying to contact the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.
Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of MPAC stated, “Our fellow Jewish neighbors, and fellow Americans of all persuasions, should hear our loud and explicit condemnation of this murder and hate crime. No matter the differences in viewpoints on the Middle East crisis, we are all Americans, and disagreements should never go beyond the level of civil discourse we as a nation pride ourselves in. This act, although committed by someone seemingly mentally ill, is simply intolerable. We reiterate our prayers for the loved ones affected by this tragic hate crime.”
In addition, Al-Marayati stated, “Never, never should we allow the violence in the Middle East to spark violence on our shores.”