IUMS: Paris Attack a Racist Terrorist Crime and the Product of Flawed Policies

The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), in a strongly worded statement, has condemned the armed attack on a Kurdish cultural center in Paris as a "racist and terrorist crime," warning that such acts also harm the security of European countries themselves.

In the statement, signed by Secretary-General Professor Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi, the Union expressed its deep sorrow for the victims. The statement read:

"On this difficult, painful, and sorrowful occasion, the Union extends its condolences to the families of the members of the Kurdish community who were unjustly killed. We pray to Almighty God to have mercy on them and accept them among the martyrs, and we also pray for the swift recovery of those who were wounded in this heinous act."

The Union did not stop at condemnation, but also pointed blame at certain Western policies, which it considers a primary cause for the spread of extremist and racist ideologies. In this regard, the statement declared:

"The Union reaffirms that some Western policies contribute to the spread of racism and extremist right-wing groups, with the aim of winning the votes of their citizens and attaining power by sacrificing human values and principles."

In its conclusion, the International Union of Muslim Scholars called for "combating racism at its roots" and stressed the need to deepen the principles of peaceful coexistence, free from any racial, religious, or color-based discrimination.