4th July 2016

Media Statement

Dhaka and Baghdad Terrorist Attacks - Terrorism has no place in Islam!

 Following the latest terrorist attacks in Dhaka and Baghdad, where collectively over 200 people were killed, we at the Muslim Women's Network UK (MWNUK) echo our sentiments following the Istanbul attacks last week. Such callous attacks that result in families, neighbourhoods and nations being torn apart, shake our human core. And we must be shaken. We must not become desensitised to the shock and horror or to the loss of life.

 The victims were people, with loved ones, struggles, hopes and dreams just like us. And we must remember this- their lives mattered. We must do all we can to reclaim Islam from extremists who purposefully manipulate religious texts to justify hatred and murder for their political agendas and in doing so are dishonouring God and Islam. 

 And in the words of Pope Francis on Sunday:

 "Let us pray together, let us pray together for them ' for all the dead' and let us ask the Lord to convert the hearts of all those blinded by hatred."

 Yours Sincerely

 Faeeza Vaid

 Executive Director

Notes to the editors

 1.About US

 Muslim Women's Network UK is a national charity that works to improve social justice and equality for Muslim for Muslim women and girls and operate a national helpline. We find out about their experiences through research and helpline enquiries and produce resources, deliver campaigns and conduct advocacy work, regularly engaging with government.

MWNUK organisational website: www.mwnuk.co.uk

MWMN Helpline website: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk

MWN Helpline contact info: 0800 999 5786 / 0303 999 5786 / info@helpline.co.uk

 2 Media contacts

 Media spokespeople from Muslim Women's Network UK are:

 Faeeza Vaid, MWNUK Executive Director - 07535 703567 / faeeza@mwnuk.co.uk

 Shaista Gohir OBE, MWNUK Chair - 07802 225989 / contact@shaistagohir.com

 Mussurrut Zia, General Secretary - 07967 655063 / mussurut@yahoo.co.uk