Date Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: MAS Freedom National

Mahdi Bray, Executive Director

Email: mahdi.bray AT masfreedom.org

Office: (202) 552-7414

Cell: (202) 421-3623

MAS FREEDOM SENDS LETTER OF CONDOLENCES TO MILITARY FAMILIES AT FORT HOOD

WASHINGTON, DC  (MASNET) Nov. 6, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), on behalf of and as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), joins the chorus of American Muslim voices nationwide in condemnation of the tragic attack perpetrated against U.S. military personnel at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, where soldiers preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving 13 persons dead and 30 wounded on November 5, 2009.

"As an organization and as Muslim American's, we stand in condemnation of Thursday's assault in the strongest terms possible," echoed MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray Thursday evening at a press conference in Washington, D.C.

"Let us be cautious, however, in drawing conclusions based on the ethnicity of the perpetrator of this tragic incident. A full investigation, is, of course, underway; however, as in any case, the perpetuation of negativity in such instances often unwittingly serves as an equally unnecessary exacerbation of the atmosphere of hate, violence and Islamophia under which the Muslim community already exists," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director Mahdi Bray.

Bray added, "Indeed this is a national tragedy and our American family is in mourning. Like any family in a time of crisis and tragedy, we will not turn on each other, but rather, toward each other as a source of strength and comfort."

Condolence letter below:

5 November 2009

Lt. General Robert W. Cone
Commander, Ft. Hood Military Base
Ft. Hood, Texas

Dear Lt. General Cone:

On behalf of the Muslim American Society (MAS) and MAS Freedom (MASF), and our thousands of members throughout the United States, I am writing to express both our shock and our deep sadness in the aftermath of the shooting incident at Fort Hood, tragically producing 13 deaths and leaving 30 wounded.

This unprovoked and unconscionable act of violence against American military personnel and civilians alike is utterly reprehensible, and against every tenet of faith and morality.

We offer our prayers and condolences to you, to the Fort Hood community, and especially to the families of those who are suffering due to the loss of loved ones and to those with family members who remain injured as a result of Thursday's attack. May God Almighty comfort all of you in this time of great lost and sorrow.

Sincerely yours,

Mahdi Bray
MAS Freedom Executive Director