Violence Is Eating Nations Alive
On Nov. 14, Imam Muhammed Mehtar of Khadeeja Islamic Center in West Valley City posted this statement on behalf of The Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake. I hope your readers will be our condemnation of these acts.
Suicide bombers are not given a place in paradise, according to our religion, and they cannot take innocent lives. We Muslims are also fighting a battle of being heard against people who claim to be Muslim. Please help share this:
The Value of Humanity
This past week has seen the world victimized by the actions of people whose mindsets are beyond the understanding of peace-loving peoples of all faiths. We offer our heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones in the senseless tragedies that occurred in Paris this week, as well as to those who lost loved ones in Beirut and elsewhere.
Tragic, senseless violence recognizes no borders, and takes innocent victims without regard for distinctions such as race, gender, or religion. As Muslims, it is with dread and despair that we see people who align themselves to us in faith commit such acts of soul-crushing violence.
As Muslims, we are all deeply aware of the injunction in our Holy Book, the Qur'an, that urges us to be mindful of the value of human life: "If any one slew a person unjustly, it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. [Verse 5:32]" With this as our firm and unerring guideline, we absolutely condemn violence perpertrated upon humanity, and recognize that Islam is unequivocal in its respect for humanity and peace.
It is our most sincere prayer that cycles of violence come to an end. Violence and hatred is eating nations and peoples up alive, and the path to peace cannot be paved with blood. We hope for wisdom and love for humanity to prevail upon all people, so that we may all know the blessings of harmony.
Shared by:
Noor Ul-Hasan
Cottonwood Heights
Clarifications: In the article, "Musical Chairs," [Nov. 12, City Weekly], Gerald Elias' association with Boston Symphony Orchestra was described imprecisely. Elias worked as a full-time member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1975-78, after which he joined the Utah Symphony. Since the late '90s, he has worked as a freelance musician for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing only occasionally.
Also, both the Utah Symphony and Thierry Fischer separately have produced commercial recordings over the years, but the 2014 recording referenced in "Musical Chairs"—Mahler Symphony No. 1, "Titan"—was the first recording of Fischer conducting the Utah Symphony.
Correction: A remembrance written by Paul Douglas on behalf of the late Nico Vermonte, aka DJ Nico Caliente, appeared on page 48 of the Nov. 12 issue of City Weekly. The space for this remembrance was donated; a line of text indicated it was an ad. We regret the error.
Nico Vermonte
aka DJ Nico Caliente
1981-2015
A good friend always. Much loved DJ & manager of Johnny's on Second. You will be missed.
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