Muslims pay respect, honor to fallen Christians

By Brian E. Muhammad -Contributing Writer- | Last updated: Jun 30, 2015 - 9:23:29 AM

Muslim community in Charleston, S.C. demonstrate solidarity and unity with Christian community. Photo: Brian E. Muhammad

CHARLESTON, S.C. - In the days following the Charleston Church Massacre on June 17 that killed nine parishioners, including their Pastor, diverse ethnicities and faith traditions showed up here in solidarity with the victims’ families and community. Represented in the number was the Muslim community organized by the Central Mosque of Charleston.

Several dozen Muslim men and women gathered in downtown Charleston and walked two short blocks in unity to Emanuel African Methodist Episcopalian Church in a sign of oneness and moral support for their “Christian brothers and sisters” affected by the tragedy. The group laid a unity banner and signed a community message board at the gate of the church where hundreds of others laid flowers and tributes in memory of the fallen nine.

“It’s just really heartbreaking and very horrific even, which we cannot believe that someone can go to God’s house and do such horrific things,” said Shahid Husain, President of the Central Mosque of Charleston.

Bloodshed and advancing the cause of White supremacy was the alleged aim of Dylann Roof when he shot and killed nine Black Christians holding Bible Study in the basement floor of the church. According to reports, Roof said provoking a race war and division was his intention.

“It’s a very sad thing that those who just came to the church to experience some peace, to cut (out) some of their time speaking to God… they couldn’t enjoy that peace, and experienced such tragedy at the place of peace,” said Sheikh Ahmad Hemaya, an Islamic Scholar and Imam visiting from Cairo, Egypt.

“Killing one human soul is equal to killing everybody, because the value of human soul is not something that we could put on a lower level or higher level according to who is killed… killing one human being is a big crime,” Sheikh Hemaya added.

The tragedy resonated with the Islamic community which has experienced stigma from false media portrayals of Muslims and Islam, according to Mr. Husain. Muslims have been targets of hate crimes and Islamaphobia in the Bible Belt South and are familiar with being marginalized and set up for the slaughter in this country.

The Muslim presence at the church was an example of harmonious relations with Christians in the midst of tragedy at a time when extremist groups worldwide like ISIS and Boko Haram have reportedly targeted Christians.

“Regardless of the race, color and religion and beliefs … when something happens like this, we are all together and we stand together and we help as much as we can,” said Mr. Husain.

Muslim woman signs message board in honor of slain members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. Photo: Brian E. Muhammad

The carnage happened one night before the start of the Muslim fast and month of Ramadan when Muslims intensify their efforts to worship Allah (God) and serve humanity, including people outside their faith. In the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the recognition in Islam of all Prophets and Messengers, Muslims recognize Christians as “people of the Book” and followers of Jesus, who is accepted as the Messiah according to the Holy Qur’an—the scripture of the Muslims.

Salih Abdul Razzaqq journeyed to Charleston from Florida with his wife Nadiyah to be among the multitudes listening to the service over loud speakers outside the historic church. They described why they decided to come.

“We were getting prepared for Ramadan and this happened, and it hurt us,” said Mr. Abdul-Razzaqq.

“It shook our souls,” added Mrs. Abdul-Razzaqq. “We knew we had to be here to pay our respects as Muslims—it was the only right thing to do.”

Being reflective, Mr. Abdul-Razzaqq said it was out of a deep sense of the “human spirit” and “God Consciousness” that drew the couple to Charleston. “We’re not here as Muslims … as Christians … as Blacks, we’re here as the human spirit,” he said.

Official messages of support, condolences and encouragement also came from the Islamic community across the country.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) offered condolences saying, “We stand in solidarity with the African-American community as it and our nation deals with this heartbreaking attack on men and women seeking spiritual growth in a historic house of worship.”

“Our nation’s leaders must take immediate concrete measures to deal with the growing divisions within our society that lead to such tragedies,” said Nihad Awad, CAIR National Executive Director. “This type of apparently hate-motivated attack fits the definition of domestic terrorism and should be treated as such.”

The Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA) conveyed condolences to the community of Emanuel AME church; the families and loved ones of the victims. In a statement MANA called for “this despicable act to be judged, prosecuted and punished as an act of terrorism and racial hatred.”

MANA honors the historical significance of Emanuel AME “in light of African American’s religious history and struggle for freedom. And, while these horrific events demand justice, they do not and should not be allowed to overshadow the historical importance of the church.”

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