NewsLocal News

Actions

Religious groups react to Sri Lanka bombings

Posted at 4:33 PM, Apr 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-21 19:58:23-04

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Islamic Center, the Utah Muslim Civic League and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints each issued statements Sunday in response to a series of Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that claimed more than 200 lives.

Sri Lanka’s minority Christian community appeared to be the main target of Sunday’s attack.

Read the Utah Islamic Center’s response:

UIC response to Easter bombings in Sri Lanka.

UIC stands with our Christian brothers and sisters and all victims of these senseless attacks. We express our deepest condolences and pray for all who are suffering. Today’s savage attacks on Christian worshippers celebrating Easter Sunday and others in Sri Lanka are outrageous and despicable.

All people should be allowed to practice their faith freely, and in safety and security. We express our grief and solidarity with all the victims of this horrific attack that happened on their day of celebration. We call upon all people of faith and goodwill to remain vigilant in standing against violence.

UIC extends its deepest sympathies to the grieving families of those who were killed today, and ask the God Almighty to grant each of them solace in this loss.

Read the Utah Muslim Civic League’s response:

Utah Muslim Civic League statement condemns Sri Lanka attacks

Sunday April 21,

The Utah Muslim Civic league is mourning with the victims of today’s attack in Sri Lanka. We condemn and denounce this deplorable act. Today sheer devastation broke out in Sri Lanka on a day where families were coming together to celebrate Easter. All of humanity is mourning these horrific attacks once again violating sacred faith spaces. We are filled with sorrow and grieve with the victims and all of their loved ones.

“It’s a heartbreaking state of affairs that we have to mourn again, when we are still in state of mourning. These incidents should strengthen the resolve for political, community and faith leaders to prevent tragedies of this sort in the future. Our spiritual tradition not only condemns these attacks but calls for the protection of sacred spaces. This reminds me of the letter prophet Muhammad wrote in a letter to the Christian monks of St. Catherine’s monastery. It reads: ‘Whenever Christian monks, devotees and pilgrims gather together, whether in a mountain or valley, or den, or frequented place, or plain, or church, or in houses of worship, verily we are [at the] back of them and shall protect them, and their properties and their morals, by Myself, by My Friends and by My Assistants, for they are of My Subjects and under My Protection.’ Let us join together as human family and eradicate the root causes of this hatred from our family.” said Avais Ahmed, the chairman of the Utah Muslim Civic League.

As a community and as our league, we stand together against hate, against violence, against evil.

Read The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ response:

Church Leaders Offer Words of Sorrow and Comfort Following Bombings in Sri Lanka

The Asia Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement Sunday, April 21, 2019:

We are deeply saddened on this Easter Sunday by the bomb blasts in Sri Lanka. We offer our heartfelt condolences and sincere prayers to all of those affected by these tragic events. We mourn with those who lost loved ones and pray for those who are seeking to heal from the physical and emotional wounds they are now suffering. May the Lord bless them with peace and comfort in these trying moments.