Muslim Groups in Germany Denounce Terrorism

Leading Muslim organizations in Germany have strongly condemned terrorism and support for terrorists as increasing links between radical Islamists and terrorism in Europe raise new fears of a backlash against Islam. On Monday, the Central Council of Muslims in Germany and the Islam Council for the Federal Republic of Germany said in a common press release, "those who tolerate such crimes, endorse or even cover up, are guilty of complicity. There will be no understanding, no place and no support for such perpetrators or accomplices in our community." It further added, "There is no justification in Islam for such bloody acts. Islam forbids murder, kidnapping, anarchy and terror." The latest denouncement of terrorism by Germany's Muslim groups is prompted by the train bombings in Madrid on March 11 that killed almost 200 people. Spanish authorities have identified the al Qaeda-linked Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group as the prime suspect.