Condemnations from Muslim sources
Public discussion has sometimes suggested that Muslim religious authorities rarely condemn terrorism. The historical record is more varied: organizations and individuals in many Muslim communities have rejected attacks on civilians and emphasized that such violence conflicts with Islamic principles.
This section gathers examples of those statements and places them in context. It is not intended to speak for every Muslim community, nor to reduce complex debates about religion, politics and violence to a single explanation.
Many of the statements were issued in response to particular attacks or public controversies. Their wording, institutional authority and intended audience differ, so readers should treat each item as a dated contribution to a wider discussion rather than as a universal declaration.
Reading note
The material is an educational website. It distinguishes between the actions of violent groups and the beliefs of the much larger populations whose religious identity those groups may claim. Historical references should be read with attention to their original date and circumstances.
Topics covered in this section
- Overview, beliefs and sacred-text context — introductory material and statements associated with the Islamic Society of North America.
- Additional organizational statements — material connected with Muslim Student Associations, councils, CAIR and Muslim communities in Florida.
- Further statements from Muslim public-affairs organizations — additional institutional responses and commentary.
- Statements from individuals and groups outside North America — a broader international selection.
- Voices of moderate Muslims after the September 11 attacks — historical aftermath and public responses.
How to use this archive
Begin with the overview, then compare statements by date, source and purpose. When evaluating a claim, ask whether it represents an institution, a scholar, a civic group or an individual, and whether it addresses terrorism generally or a particular event.