Arab-American and Muslim groups based in metro Detroit and across the U.S. have strongly condemned the shooting rampage in Ft. Hood, Texas, saying the actions are not rooted in Islam or Arab culture.
According to reports, the shooter is a Muslim of Arab descent who attended a mosque, handed out Qurans before the attack, and shouted “Allahu Akbar,” God is great, during the shootings.
The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military, founded and led by a Dearborn native in the Marines, released a statement that said "our thoughts are first and foremost with the Fort Hood shooting victims and their families."
The statement notes that thousands of Arab Americans serve proudly and honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The group was founded and led by Jamal Baadani, a former Dearborn resident who has served in the Middle East.
"Arab Americans are as devastated about those killed and wounded and their families as all other Americans are," said Osama Siblani, publisher of Dearborn-based Arab American News and spokesman for the Congress of Arab-American Organizations, in a statement.
"We ask all to remember that when people commit crimes, they do so not because of their religion or culture, but in spite of their religious and cultural upbringing," Siblani added.
The Islamic Center of America, a Shia mosque based in Dearborn, released a statement today that said it "condemns the atrocious attacks."
