Muslim Community Denounces ‘Smash and Grab Looters’

Prayers were said today for the victims of the riots in England. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community gathered in mosques across Britain and remembered the victims who had suffered at the hands of looters and rioters.

Rafiq Hayat, National President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said:

“We condemn the wanton acts of violence and looting that London and other cities have witnessed. Our community has been in Britain through two world wars and the sight of violence by one section of society on another was shocking and unbearable.

“We applaud and fully support the response from the wider community to clean up the debris and to stand united against the rioters. The resolute response from members of the Muslim community, who suffered enormous tragedy from the killing in Birmingham, is a model of steadfastness for us all.

“We have been humbled by Tariq Jahan’s impassioned plea for calm after he lost his son and by Ashraf Haziq Rosli, the Malaysian student who was injured and robbed. Their strength of character is a shining light of hope in this dark chapter.

“We welcome all moves to nip this destructive force in the bud and to inject a sense of order, safety and, justice in our society. The courage and work that the police and authorities have carried out to restore order is to be applauded and has our full support.

“We pray for those who have been attacked and their livelihoods destroyed, and also for sense to awaken in anyone contemplating any further anarchy.”