Muslims in Great Britain have been united in their condemnation of Mr Henning’s murder…writes Kaliph Anaz
It happened on an Arafa Day. The day is just before Eid.ul-Adha aka Bakrid. When the entire Muslim world celebrates Bakrid, which marks the submission of man to God, a family in Salford near Manchester was grieving. Many set aside their celebrations to join the grief of Barfaba and their children.
Alan Henning is a hero and he sacrificed his life for the victims of Syrian civil war. He is a Good Samaritan and his name will be etched in the annals of history as a man who buried his todays for a better tomorrow. He is a man blessed with compassion and the world will remember him for his good gesture to help the people in distress.
Muslims in Great Britain have been united in their condemnation of Mr Henning’s murder.
Hanif Qadir, of the Active Change Foundation charity, in a statement said: “The fact they have chosen to commit this barbaric act on the eve of the Eid al-Adha, a global expression of forgiveness and mercy among Muslims, only demonstrates the extent of the evil and barbaric nature of these criminals.”
Muslim Council of Britain said the killing of an innocent aid worker is “a despicable and offensive act”.
Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “This reported murder is a despicable and offensive act, coming as it does on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha.
“It is quite clear that the murderers of Alan Henning have no regard for Islam, or for the Muslims around the world who pleaded for his life. Alan was a friend of Muslims, and he will be mourned by Muslims.
“In this period of Hajj and this festival of Eid, Muslims remember the mercy of God and the emphasis God places on human life.
“Alan Henning’s murderers have clearly gone against that spirit of Islam. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
Prime Minister David Cameron echoed Dr Shafi’s wordings.
The prime minister said the killing of Alan is “abhorrent, senseless and completely unforgivable”.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said in a statement: “The barbaric actions of ISIL are held in complete contempt and we are resolved to defeat this evil.
“Alan Henning was a man moved to selflessly help those most in need and we should remember that above all else at this difficult time.”
Labour leader Ed Miliband described the killing as “appalling and barbaric”.
Respect Party MP George Galloway described the killing as “a depraved Satanic act committed by devils in human form”. He wrote on Twitter: “It is a desecration of all that is holy.”
Tory MP Mark Pritchard said: “If ISIS think the British people will be cowed they are gravely mistaken. For every act of brutality they birth greater national resilience.”
Labour’s Fiona Mactaggart, who did not vote in last week’s Commons decision to join US-led air strikes against IS positions in Iraq, said the murder made her question her decision.
“The vile murderers of ISIL make me almost wish I voted to bomb in Iraq last week. I want to avenge the death of Alan Hemming. I despise them,” she said.
INSPIRE, an anti-extremist campaign group of British Muslim women, described Mr Henning’s death as “an affront to all Muslims across the world”.
Co-director Sara Khan expressed her “heartfelt condolences” to the family of the aid worker, who she described as an “amazing man, a man of courage, a man of dignity, a man of integrity”.
She said: “The only thing that the killing of Alan has achieved is greater revulsion for ISIS and the fact that more people from across our world, within our communities, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, are united in their stance against their barbarity and inhumanity.
“The murder of Alan Henning is a brutal and criminal act of terror that is an affront to all Muslims across the world.”
Baroness Warsi, Britain’s first female Muslim cabinet minister who resigned from the government in August over the Israel attacks on Gaza, described Henning as a “true martyr.”
Mr. Mohammed Shafiq, Chief Executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said:
“I am appalled at the brutal murder of Alan Henning by the evil ISIS, this barbaric killing is an attack against all decent people around the world.
“ For weeks now the world has tried to appeal to these murderers to do the decent thing but they have no compassion or respect for human life. Alan Henning was a British hero, he put others first and we salute him and his life of service for others. My thoughts and condolences to Alan’s family and friends.
“British Muslims stand with Alan’s family and vow to defeat this evil ideology and barbaric organisation. Islam not only condemns these crimes but forbids them, those that carry them out are committing crimes against Islam. Alan Henning was the best of British and we pledge to never forget him as a person and all that he has done.”