Response to Charlie Hebdo Killings
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8 January 2015 PRESS STATEMENT Response to Charlie Hebdo killings Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWN-UK) condemns unreservedly and in the strongest terms the ruthless killings at the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, on 7th January 2015. As Muslims in Europe we echo the sentiment of Muslims across the world that the killers are unrepresentative of the Muslim faith. These are callous individuals who have violated the universal rights and human values we hold dear, which ought to protect us all from such acts of violence. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wish those who were injured a speedy and lasting recovery. We urge each and every one of us to measure our responses to these killings and to oppose those seeking to exploit these events as a means of promoting repression and violence against Muslims communities in France and elsewhere. Terrorist violence does not discriminate; we are all its potential victims. It is perhaps worth noting that of those who lost a life yesterday, two were Muslim. We live in times where it is ever important to engage in critical dialogue on issues of citizenship, equality, representation, racism, and Islamophobia. We must stand firm against the utter wrong-mindedness of such acts of terror; we must ensure that the voices heard loudest are those which seek unity and equality between all peoples. Executive Director, Faeeza Vaid said: “As a human rights activist, the killings in France make me shudder. How can anyone have so little regard for humanity and then have the audacity to frame it as a religiously guided response. In these acts the Prophet Muhammed’s reputation has not been protected, it has been betrayed.” Notes to editors 1. About MWNUK The Muslim Women’s Network UK is the only national Muslim women’s organisation in Britain. It is an independent network of women across the UK that shares knowledge, connects the voices, and promotes the needs of diverse Muslim women. Further information on the network can be found at: www.mwnuk.co.uk 2. Media spokespeople from Muslim Women’s Network UK are: Faeeza Vaid, MWNUK Executive Director (07535 703567 / faeeza@mwnuk.co.uk )  Shaista Gohir MBE, MWNUK Chair (07802 225989 / contact@shaistagohir.com) |
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