Embassies targeted as protests spread

CLOSER TO HOMEBassam Issa, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga, said the group condemns “the attacks which occurred at the U.S. consulate in Libya this past week, leaving four of our esteemed fellow citizens – including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens – dead. Likewise, we condemn the outbursts which similarly occurred in Egypt and Yemen. Violence like this should never be condoned.”In a statement, Issa wrote, “To those who created the inconsiderate film which sparked the anger in the region, they did not remember that with the great power of the freedom of speech comes the great responsibility of restraint and tact. In fact, the United States does not condone incitement and defamation for that very reason, and we hope that justice is granted the right way: Through our government.”To the small few in the Middle East who reacted with such rage, they did not remember the tenets of peace which lay at the foundation of Islam, as exemplified in this very direct passage from the Qur’an, in Chapter 4, Verse 140: ‘Already has He sent you in the Book, that when ye hear the Message of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: if ye did, ye would be like them.'”Indeed, those misguided few did not turn the other cheek in this case, and we are all left with the unfortunate results. At the end of the day, this is not a political issue, and this is not a religious issue. This is an issue of human compassion and understanding; may we all strive to live in harmony.”