The perpetrators in the recent terror attacks in London and Manchester will not receive the traditional Islamic funeral prayer, according to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which represents more than 500 groups.
The ritual is normally performed for every Muslim regardless of their actions, but the more than 130 imams and religious leaders said not this time.
“Consequently, and in light of other such ethical principles which are quintessential to Islam, we will not perform the traditional Islamic funeral prayer over the perpetrators and we also urge fellow imams and religious authorities to withdraw such a privilege,” the religious leaders said in a statement released by MCB. “This is because such indefensible actions are completely at odds with the lofty teachings of Islam.”
The religious leaders come from different schools of Islam as well as different parts of the country but all were saddened and shocked at the terrorist acts.
Four attackers
Three suspects were killed by British authorities following the early June attack on London Bridge and in Borough Market. And a suicide bomber died in the attack at a concert in Manchester in late May.
“We, as Muslim Imams and religious leaders, condemn the recent terror attacks in Manchester and London in the strongest terms possible. Coming from a range of backgrounds and from across the UK [and] feeling the pain the rest of the nation feels, we have come together to express our shock and utter disgust at these cold-blooded murders,” the leaders said in the statement.
“We are deeply hurt that a spate of terror attacks have been committed in our country once more by murderers who seek to gain religious legitimacy for their actions. We seek to clarify that their reprehensible actions have neither legitimacy nor our sympathy.
“Though at no time is it acceptable, that such ruthless violence was perpetrated during the season of Ramadan — [when] Muslims worldwide focus on pious devotion, prayer, charity and the cultivation of good character — demonstrates how utterly misguided and distant the terrorists are from our faith and the contempt which they hold for its values,” the religious leaders said.
‘Mourn this attack’
“Alongside our friends and neighbors we mourn this attack on our home, society and people and feel pain for the suffering of the victims and their families. … These vile murderers seek to divide our society and instil fear; we will ensure they fail. … In the face of such dastardly cowardice, unlike the terrorists, we must uphold love and compassion.
“We commend our police and emergency services — with whom we stand shoulder to shoulder — for their rapid response, arriving at the scenes while risking their own lives to protect the victims and public.” (TAB)
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