July 10, 2005

The Right Honorable Mr. Tony Blair,
Prime Minister
United Kingdom

 

Your Excellency,

We received the news of the criminal attacks carried out in London on the 7th of July 2005, by sinful hands that bear no regard whatsoever for the sacredness of human life, religious values or decency.

In our capacity as co-presidents of the Islamic – Catholic Liaison Committee, we wish to express our utter disgust and outright condemnation of these cowardly acts and the aggressive hatred that the perpetrators have shown towards their fellow humane beings. We have little doubt that these criminals have lost all sense of human values, including notions of mercy, security and peace, have revolted against religious ethics and principles, and have thus declared war against God Almighty Himself.

Truly, such blind violence has grieved us and has made our hearts ache, since it is a shameful violation of the sacredness of God Almighty, His everlasting message and sublime teachings, which  all affirm the inviolability of human life and the prime importance of peace and security for all human societies.

Respected Prime Minister, please accept our sincere condolence and heartfelt sympathy that we extend to the families, relatives and colleagues of the victims and to the entire British people.

Prof. Dr. Hamid Ahamad Al-Rifaie      Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald    

President                                               President
International Islamic                               Pontifical Council for
Forum for Dialogue                                Inter- religions Dialogue
P.O. Box: 34128 Jeddah 21468 -Saudi Arabia               Postal Address: 00120 Citta del Vaticano
Fax: 00966 2 6735 430                                                  Fax: 003906 6988 4494
E-mail: alrifaie@dialogueonline.org                                  E-mail: mlf@interrel.va