It also expresses its condolences to the family of the victim, the sacristan David Valencia, and its "fraternal and sincere" solidarity with the wounded, their families, the Catholic community and Algeciras society

The Islamic Board of Spain "firmly" condemns the attack in Algeciras

photo_camera PHOTO/FORTA via REUTERS - Police officers stand guard at the scene of a stabbing incident at a church in Algeciras, Spain

The Islamic Board of Spain has issued an official statement condemning the attack on several churches in Algeciras and expresses its condolences to the relatives of the victim, the sacristan David Valencia. The Islamic Board of Spain stresses that "this type of execrable acts have no place in a plural and open society" and recalls that freedom of worship must be "a central value". The communiqué of the Islamic Board of Spain is reproduced below:

The Islamic Board of Spain strongly condemns and expresses its complete repulse for the attack that took place in Algeciras yesterday. It also expresses its condolences to the family of the victim, the sacristan David Valencia, and its fraternal and sincere solidarity with the injured, their families, the Catholic community and the Algeciras society.

This type of execrable acts have no place in a plural and open society, where freedom of worship should be a central value. We feel great sorrow at the fact that this attack has been committed in a sacred place for our Catholic brothers and sisters where peace and love should reign. Islam, like other religions, condemns all crimes and teaches us in the Holy Quran: "Whoever kills a person, it is as if he has killed the whole of mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved the whole of mankind" (The Quran 5: 32). A statement shared by the three religions of the Book that invites us to live in a fraternal space of mutual knowledge such as our country. Moreover, the Islamic tradition specifically forbids the attack against religious people and servants of God, as Christians are, as the Quran says: "Surely those who believe, and the Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabeans, all believe in Allah and the Last Day, and are of those who do good" (Quran 2: 62).

We make a sincere call to reflect on why, in this time, violence stemming from intolerance, ideology and unreason ends up reaching the weakest in multiple ways. We at the Islamic Board are at the disposal of society as a whole to work to prevent this type of events. Insh'allah may we build a world in peace and freedom among all citizens.

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