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Press
release from the Christian Council of Sweden
September 14, 2001
Statement from the Christian Council of Sweden and
the Muslim Council of Sweden
The incomprehensible act of violence in New York and
Washington, D.C. on September 11 fills both Christians and Muslims
with dismay and grief. Our thoughts are with all of those who have
been subjected to suffering and loss through this meaningless violence.
Among the victims in these acts of terror in the US are both Christians
and Muslims. In our prayers we think of all of those who have been
struck.
Together with all people of good will we defend the open society and
safeguard the value of each individual. The brutal violence and the
ruthless terror cannot stop us in defending democratic values and
human rights. It is an undeniable right for each human to be able
to get to their workplace or travel by air without being exposed to
the kind of violence experienced in New York, Washington and Pittsburgh.
We repudiate political and religious extremism leading to the degradation
of human rights and the basic values needed in order for us to build
a safe society for all. Solidarity and justice are the very foundations
of the society we want to create.
We repudiate the harassment that has befallen Muslims in Sweden. Those
who committed the violent deeds in the US have acted in conflict with
both Christian and Muslim ethics. It is the true criminals, those
who planned and performed the hijackings, that should be made accountable
for what happened. But even if it turns out that those responsible
are Muslims, others of the Islamic faith should not be held accountable.
We urge everyone in our country to do everything in their power to
prevent harassment against Muslims and to counteract racial threats
in the footprints of terror. In these times we must all stand up to
defend the freedom of religion and the judicial system.
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