[PRESS RELEASE FROM WORLD MUSLIM CONGRESS]
Dallas, Texas – January 9, 2013. In a statement released today,  Mike Mohamed Ghouse, president of the World Muslim Congress expressed his concerns and denounced the statement made by Honorable Mr. Abdullah Gül, president of the Republic of Turkey.

Mr. Ghouse said, “A Muslim should stand for up justice and support all such inquiries that bring justice to the people, in case where a Muslim cannot do anything, the least he can do is to speak up against injustice. Today, I am disappointed by the statement of Hon. President Gül”.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and President of Bangladesh on December 17, 2012, Mr. Gül suggested the government of Bangladesh to “forgive” and not to “hang” the alleged war criminals of Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971, even before the verdict is delivered by the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh.

Mr. Hasan Mahmud, Advisor of World Muslim Congress, adds, “This amounts to interference and bias, aimed at prejudicing the system of a sovereign nation Bangladesh.”

However, honoring God’s words, that the dearest one to God is the one who forgives, I would have expected Hon. President Gül to withhold his suggestion until the verdict was given. This would have established justice and after that, all the humanity, Muslims and otherwise should appeal to victims to forgive them. It would have complied with Islam’s principles and have done a world of Good.

“Rais Bhuiyan, founder of World without Hate, this year demonstrated the healing and transforming power of forgiveness when he tirelessly campaigned for the life of his own assailant who, ultimately, was executed by the State. On September 21, 2001, Bhuiyan, a Muslim immigrant from Bangladesh, was shot in the face by Mark Stroman in a hate crime stimulated by the 9/11 attacks. Raised to value forgiveness and the sanctity of life, Bhuiyan, along with Hassan’s and Patel’s survivors, pleaded unsuccessfully for a stay of execution.” Dallas Peace Center.

We request a letter or announcement of withdrawal of the letter by President Gül.

[Here is the full-text of the press release for download.]