[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21223]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                GRAND IMAM OF EGYPT DENOUNCES TERRORISM

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, since September 11, we in Congress have 
joined the President in making clear that this is not a war between the 
West and the East or a war against Islam. This is not a war between 
America and Afghanistan. In fact, we are doing as much as we can right 
now to help the people of Afghanistan. This is a war between all 
civilized nations and the barbaric terrorists and those who harbor 
them.
  Just a few days ago, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the highest and most 
respected Islamic authority in the world, who resides in Egypt, also 
made this clear. The Grand Imam said that the Koran specifically 
forbids the kinds of things the Taliban and al-Qaeda are guilty of. He 
said the jihad Osama bin Laden has called for against America is 
invalid and not binding on Muslims. He said that ``Islam rejects all of 
these acts.'' He called terrorism un-Islamic. In fact, he says, 
``Killing innocent civilians is a horrific, hideous act that no 
religion can approve.''
  Mr. Speaker, this war may take a long time to win, but we will win it 
and the world will remain united against terrorism and removing evil 
terrorists like Osama bin Laden from the caves where they hide.

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