CIOG horrified at recent terror attacks

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has condemned the recent terrorist attacks that left 25 victims dead in London and Manchester, England.

In a statement, the CIOG said it continues to be horrified at the “despicable atrocities” inflicted upon innocent men, women and children, and noted that all God-fearing people should join in condemning these acts.

The CIOG maintains that those who perpetrate these acts in this most sacred month of Ramadan cannot be deemed Muslims, and no longer subscribe to the teaching of Islam and the laws that govern the lives of Muslims and the Holy Quran.

According to CIOG, terror group ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for much of the attacks, should not be affiliated to the teachings and values which Islam foster. The CIOG has quoted from the Quran: “He who kills a soul, unless it be (in legal punishment) for murder or causing disorder and corruption on the earth, will be as if he had killed all humankind; and he who saves a life will be as if he had saved the lives of all humankind.”

Maintaining that anyone who defies this order “cannot hold steadfast to the realms of Islam and its teachings”, the CIOG has expressed hope that the persons who perpetuate the violent acts end their activities and reflect on the true teachings of their beloved Prophet and the commandments given by the Almighty to all His Prophets, which relate to the sanctity and value of life.

The CIOG joined world leaders and fellow Guyanese in offering sympathies to the people and Government of the United Kingdom: “We pray that the Almighty God will grant a peaceful resting place for the innocence that departed the world, and patience and perseverance to the families.”

At the end of U.S. Pop singer Arianna Grande’s May 22 concert in Manchester, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb that killed 22 civilians and injured 119 others, 23 critically. And on June 3, two simultaneous attacks in London killed 8 persons and injured 48 others. More recently, an ISIS-claimed terror attack on the Parliament in Muslim-majority nation Iran killed 17 people and wounded 40 others.