Baghdad, Iraq, Jul 25, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Muslim world must condemn terrorism “carried out in its name,” says an Iraqi Catholic priest in Mosul.
“At the same time we must not identify the Arab and Muslim world with terrorism, and we must encourage those who work to promote the universal values of respect for human rights and social harmony, Fr. Nizar Semaan told the Fides news agency.
“Certainly these people who kill themselves to kill others think they are right, but this does not justify their actions,” he said.
The priest made these comments after terrorists attacked the London subway system, killing more than 50 people and after continued violence in the Middle East.
“Once again we mourn the death of innocent men and women killed by terrorists: these acts are criminal and nothing can justify them,” he said.
The priest said that people should not make distinctions with regard to violence in Iraq, Palestine or Afghanistan.
“These are only excuses,” he told Fides. “I am convinced that the extremists would plant bombs even if these situations did not exist.
“These situations must be settled, it is a question of justice which has nothing to do with terrorism,” he said.