Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf has praised Glasgow mosques and imams across the city for using their Friday Prayer sermons to unequivocally condemn the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich on Wednesday. The Friday prayer is the main service during the week and is attended by thousands of Muslim across the country.
The Glasgow MSP said:
“Communities of all faiths have rightly come out to stand united in condemnation of the savage murder of Drummer Lee Rigby – all our hearts go out to his wife, young son, family and friends.
“The vast majority of people understand that these disgraceful actions have no place or justification in Islam. Unfortunately, there is a minority who will attempt to use this murder for their own extreme purposes as we have already seen with the EDL and BNP.
“Therefore I am pleased that mosques in Glasgow will be using their Friday prayer sermons to unequivocally condemn these attacks and express their solidarity with the community in Woolwich – just as many churches, synagogues, gudwaras and others will be doing over the coming days.
“My colleague Kenny MacAskill the Justice Secretary has spoken to the Home Office and Police Scotland has rightly stated they will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone attempting to use this savage attack as an excuse to commit hate crime. I am encouraged that the Muslim community has unequivocally come forward in this way to condemn this savage murder and say loudly and clearly that this is not in their name.
“Just as we did after the Glasgow Airport attack or the terrible bombings on 7th July 2005 in London we will stay united, those who terrorise us wish to divide us but I am confident they will not succeed”
A spokesman for Glasgow Central Mosque said:
“This was a barbaric act that has no basis in Islam and we condemn it unreservedly. Our thoughts are with Drummer Lee Rigby and his family. We understand the victim was a member of the Armed Forces. Muslims have long served in the country’s armed forces, proudly and with honour. This attack on a member of the armed forces is dishonourable, and no cause justifies this murder.
“We advise Muslims and non-Muslims to obtain their knowledge of Islam from reputable sources and not rely on charlatans posing as scholars.
“This terrible murder may heighten tensions on the streets of the United Kingdom. We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail. It is important we allow our police authorities to do their job without speculation. We also urge the utmost vigilance and ask the police authorities to calm tensions.”