Source: independentnig.com

By Chinyere Abiaziem, Lagos.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide have expressed shock over the murder of Father Jacques Hamel during the celebration of a morning mass last Tuesday in a church around Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen, North France.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community considers this to be an ‘outrageous’ and ‘evil attack’ that can never be ‘justified’ in any way or under any circumstances.
The Muslims faithful while expressing their sympathy to all affected by the cleric’s death, made it clear that the teachings of the Holy Quran and Founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad are of peace, tolerance and love for humanity; contrary to the opinion of some religious fanatics who think killing and causing others pain equates to doing God’s will.

“The Quran says to kill even one innocent person is akin to killing all of humanity (Quran 5:33). Throughout his life, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) condemned all forms of warfare, violence and injustice.

He strictly instructed his followers that even in a state of defensive warfare, Muslims were not permitted to attack any religious leader, and any place of worship or to target innocent people such as the elderly, women and children.

“Today no nation and no group have waged war against Islam. Muslims are living freely here in the West and are able to practice their religion and so Muslims should be grateful for these freedoms. Thus the hatred manifested by terrorists and extremists is completely incomprehensible. Such terrorists and extremists are not defending Islam but rather are serving only to defame and discredit its name and its teachings.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community offers its deepest condolences to the family of Father Jacques Hamel and to all those affected. We further offer our sympathies to Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church and to the people of France. We share in their grief and we share in their outrage. We pray for peace in the world and for an end to all forms of terrorism, extremism and hatred,” the Muslim community stated.

Reportedly, 86 years old Father Hamel was standing in for Father Auguste Moanda-Phuati who was on holiday when the two ISIS members burst into the church taking him hostage alongside two nuns and parishioners. The father was slit by the throat while one hostage was left seriously wounded.

Father Moanda-Phuati described the late clergyman as a ‘popular’, ‘good man’, ‘man of peace’, ‘a simple man without extravagance’ whose experience and wisdom many benefited greatly from, serving God and humanity with his last breath, as he refused to retire ten years when he was due for retirement.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis had earlier condemned the painful occurrence while he prayed for the attack victims.