Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 1:01am
U.S. Muslims condemn Bhutto killing
The American Islamic Congress joined the rest of the free world in condemning Thursday's assassination of Benazir Bhutto, claiming that with her death "a light has been snuffed out" and is a wake-up call to Muslims. Nainab Al-Suwaij, executive director of the American Islamic Congress, in a statement released on Thursday said, "Benazir Bhutto was one of the most prominent Muslim women in the world." Her death is "a wake-up call to Muslims and all people of conscience," she said.
Former prime minister Bhutto, 54, "was a model of independence and courage for Muslim women around the world," Al-Suwaij said. "After she was nearly killed upon her recent return to Pakistan, she could have taken a safe exit. Instead, she chose to stand up and speak out despite the risks," CNSNews.com reported Thursday.
"Young Muslim women around the world should not let this murder dissuade them from speaking out and claiming their rightful place as equals in society," he added. The AIC describes itself as "a civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples."
Bhutto was killed Thursday in a suicide attack that also killed at least 20 others at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi. Having served twice as Pakistan's prime minister between 1988 and 1996, she returned to Pakistan from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18. Her homecoming parade in Karachi was also targeted by a suicide attacker who killed more than 140 people but failed to reach Bhutto.
Former prime minister Bhutto, 54, "was a model of independence and courage for Muslim women around the world," Al-Suwaij said. "After she was nearly killed upon her recent return to Pakistan, she could have taken a safe exit. Instead, she chose to stand up and speak out despite the risks," CNSNews.com reported Thursday.
"Young Muslim women around the world should not let this murder dissuade them from speaking out and claiming their rightful place as equals in society," he added. The AIC describes itself as "a civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples."
Bhutto was killed Thursday in a suicide attack that also killed at least 20 others at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi. Having served twice as Pakistan's prime minister between 1988 and 1996, she returned to Pakistan from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18. Her homecoming parade in Karachi was also targeted by a suicide attacker who killed more than 140 people but failed to reach Bhutto.