Letter of Condolence to the Christian Community after Texas Church Attack

November 6, 2017

Assalamu Alaikum

Dear faith leaders and people of faith:

Our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the Christian community as we hear the devastating news of the First Baptist Church shootings in Sutherland Springs, Texas. We pray for the speedy recovery for all injured and we pray for the strength and patience for the loved ones of the deceased as they work through the pain of their loss. May the Almighty ease their suffering.

Keep faith in Allah (God)

And do listen to Him.

He says "A person can have nothing but what he or she strives for” Quran 53:39. Humanity had suffered many tragedies recently. In just over a month in the United States alone, many innocent lives were taken: Las Vegas: 58 killed, 546 injured New York: 8 killed, 12 injured Sutherland Springs, Texas: 26 killed, 20 injured. The rest of the world shares the same devastation. The cycle of war-terror-hate-evil must be broken. It has killed more than two million people over the last 15 years, and sadly continues its destructing course worldwide.

Allah (God) controls the world. We don't. However, our test as human beings is to do our best to live up to the ideals of peace and justice. We are accountable for this will be asked about it. Are we ready to answer for how we fulfilled our duty to save ourselves and our neighbors from the ills of violence?  I think of Burma or Syria and the thousands of innocents massacred daily.

Please join me in prayer as we strive to become a peaceful civilization- where our values and laws guide us to live in peace with our fellow humans and our environment.

Peace and blessings be upon you

Sincerely,

Ilyas Sidyot

Imam, Islamic Association of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Inc.