Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) condemns the deadly terror attacks in Paris that killed 129 and wounded over 300 people. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/DAESH) claimed responsibility for one of the worst attacks in years in France.
ATAA condemns violent extremism and acts of terrorism in the name of Islam. Such carnage cannot be justified by religion or be said to be ordained by God, as terrorism has no religion, language, race or country and perpetrators cannot possibly be followers in good faith of any religion.
Terrorists are criminals and their acts of terrorism are crimes — plain and simple. ATAA rejects the term, “Islamic Terrorism”, because referring to terrorism by using “Islamic” as a descriptive, implies Islam’s association with terrorism, and promotes hatred and prejudice against Muslims who are peaceful and law abiding.
As the preeminent organization representing the Turkish American community, we express our sympathies to the families and friends of the victims.
