By Nicole June

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Islamic Center of Clarksville release a statement Tuesday, March 19 in the wake of the Christchurch, New Zealand mosque shootings.

The statement, provided by Secretary Tariq Yunis on behalf of the center, is below in its entirety:

“The Islamic Center of Clarksville expresses its prayers, sympathies and condolences for the victims of Friday’s massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand. We are pained and we grieve. Our hearts are with those loved ones left behind in the aftermath. In moments of grief Muslims return to the Quranic teaching that ‘to God we belong and to Him we must return.’ It gives us solace and peace in the face of profound tragedy. The Quran reminds us that regardless of what happens, God is in control and this life and its pain are ephemeral and in the end we shall return back to him. Thus, we painfully grieve but we do not despair.

The Islamic Center of Clarksville expresses its concern regarding the escalation of extremist and violent rhetoric that has led to acts of savagery. Perhaps we will learn the destructive nature of language that marginalizes and dehumanizes others; language that divides, language that promotes hate, and language that opens the door to violence in those who suffer from diseases of the heart. It is the language of racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia that has led to tragic deaths in churches, synagogues and mosques.

In an open society we must combat this language of hate in the market place of ideas. It is imperative that those who wish to see an end to the cycle of destructive violence must speak up with ideas, thoughts and solutions. Without these voices of reason, the voices of hate and bigotry will be heard from the mouths of demagogues. As the Quran states, ‘For had it not been that God checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of God is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down.’

The cruelty of events like these question the value of humanity but the profound outpouring of love, sympathy, and compassion demonstrates the redemptive value of humanity. The Islamic Center of Clarksville expresses its solidarity with all those who wish to stand for peace. People all over the world who value peace have demonstrated the best of humanity with words of comfort, with flowers of condolences, with candlelight vigils and with contributions of assistance to those suffering. We at the Islamic Center of Clarksville have received flowers and emails expressing sympathy and concern from the community. We truly appreciate the outpouring of love, sympathy and condolences in the wake of these attacks.”

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New Zealand police said at least 49 people were killed Friday at two mosques in the picturesque South Island city of Christchurch. More than 20 were seriously wounded in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called a “terrorist attack.”

One man was arrested and charged with murder in what appeared to be a carefully planned racist attack. Police also defused explosive devices in a car. Two other people were being held in custody and police were trying to determine how they might be involved.

A previous spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Clarksville, Dr. Shabeer Abubucker, works as a psychiatrist for the Community Mental Health Center and provides mental health support for jail inmates.

Abubucker said the Islamic Center tries to be involved in the activities of Clarksville as much as possible. Its members have participated in Rivers and Spires events and the center is represented on the Human Relations Committee.

The local Muslim community gathers at the center to meet their religious responsibilities and assist fellow members in need.

“We try to be a part of the community as much as possible and to be involved in the activities of Clarksville,” Abubucker said in a previous interview with ClarksvilleNow.com.

The Muslim-Americans who are involved with the center stress that their faith does not support violence.

The Islamic Center of Clarksville is located at 202 Uffelman Dr. and provides a place of worship for the local Islamic community. For more information, call 931-552-6640.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.