Alexandria, VA – Islamic Relief USA, the largest Muslim faith-based humanitarian and advocacy organization, has released the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Sharif Aly, regarding the mass shooting at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Forty-nine people have been killed, according to updated news reports as of Friday morning.
“Today, we grieve the loss of innocent lives who were practicing their faith in Christchurch, New Zealand. We cannot address this horrific tragedy against Muslims without addressing the root causes of racism, bigotry, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hatred and violence. We cannot allow fear and the normalization of hateful rhetoric and vitriol to overpower our humanity. During these times of heightened divisiveness and hostility being perpetuated by various political and social agendas, we must continue to stand firm in our commitment to peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding. I ask you today and always to work in the tradition of our Islamic faith, which compels us to learn from one another, not to despise one another.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Syed M. Hassan
media@irusa.org or
(703) 370-7246
(571) 421-7032 (cell)
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.