Allah says in the Qur’an: “[T]hat if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.”(Surah Al-Maidah: 32).
Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the Farewell Hajj said: “Surely, there is no advantage for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a white over a black, except by piousness and good deeds.“
After the recent tragic events in St. Louis we feel the need to once again reaffirm our condemnation of the murder of Zemir Begic and to call upon the authorities to increase security measures to prevent future crimes.
Also, we remind you not to be identify perpetrators with their communities. Every villain represents only oneself, and therefore should be held responsible for own crimes.
We urge our people to get involved in all the democratic processes in the society and thus ensure protection of their rights. Peaceful assemblies are a good indicator of awareness of our people about the need that voice of our community that changed the south St. Louis is heard. So that our community can continue to contribute to the development and progress of our city, we ask all relevant authorities to ensure protection of its citizens, their lives, property and rights so that they can continue to live in their communities without fear.
We ask Allah to give Zemir Begic beautiful paradise, patience to his family, and
safety and well-being to all Bosniaks.
Best regards,
Sabahudin ef. Ćeman, Head Imam at Islamic Community of North American Bosniaks
Muhamed ef. Hasić, Imam at Islamic Community Center – St. Louis, MO
Enver ef. Kunić, Imam at Bosnian Islamic Center of St. Louis – St. Louis, MO
Ahmed ef. Serdarević, Imam at St. Louis Islamic Center – St. Louis, MO
