Phoenix chapter of Muslim group offers support to threatened Jewish centers

PHOENIX — The Phoenix chapter of a national Muslim group is standing by to help Jewish victims of threats and violence.

“We stand in solidarity with our Jewish-American family, and we stand ready to serve and protect them in any way,” he said. Usman Yahya with Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA said.

Yahya said his group has contacted the synagogue associated with the Tucson Jewish Community Center, which was one of two such Arizona facilities to receive threats this week.

“It wasn’t just a moral issue – it was a religious issue,” he said. “Islam requires us to protect the rights of other people, and serve humanity.”

Yahya said the group has also sent volunteers to help clean up vandalized Jewish cemeteries near Philadelphia.

“We are deeply troubled by these rising and ongoing attacks on our Jewish sisters and brothers, and members from our Philadelphia chapter are in route to assist in clean up,” Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, national vice president for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, said. “We call upon all Americans to stand united against this hatred and extremism.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community follows the teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of India. The community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.

The community said Ahmad divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices.

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