Article

Islamists React to Paris Attacks

November 16, 2015

Cameron Glenn

Islamist parties and governments across the Middle East condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 that killed more than 120 people and injured more than 350. Many quickly sought to distance the attacks from the core values of Islam. Rached Ghannouchi, head of Tunisia’s Ennahda Party, said that terrorism “violates the principles of Islam and misrepresents it.” Egypt’s Wasat Party issued a statement asserting that “Islam is innocent of these shameful acts.” And Algeria’s Movement of Society for Peace said the attacks were “far from our religion, our teachings, and our morals.”

In Paris, gunmen and suicide bombers stormed six locations, which included a concert hall, a soccer match, and two restaurants. ISIS – also known as ISIL, Daesh, or the Islamic State – claimed responsibility for the attacks. The following is a rundown of Islamists' reactions to the Paris attacks.

Tunisia

Ennahda

“Last night, Paris was hit by a number of terrorist attacks that left over one hundred dead and dozens injured.

Shocked by these heinous attacks, Ennahdha:

Strongly condemns the terrorist crimes against innocent victims across Paris,

Expresses its heartfelt condolences and sympathy with the families of the victims and to all the people of ‪#France,

Stresses that terrorism violates the principles of Islam and misrepresents it, just as it contravenes all faiths, and that it is a danger that can only be countered through national unity, solidarity and democracy."

– Nov. 14, 2015, in a statement by Ennahda President Rached Ghannouchi

#Ennahdha strongly condemns the horrific attacks in #Paris. Our condolences & solidarity to families of the victims & all people of #France
— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) November 14, 2015

Egypt

Muslim Brotherhood

“The Muslim Brotherhood condemns the terrorist incidents that took place on French territory on the evening of Friday, November 13, 2015, as a violation of the teachings of all divine laws and an infringement on all conventions and human values. The Muslim Brotherhood denounces these incidents, and reiterates its rejection of any action that targets innocent lives or sheds the blood of the guiltless. The group also stresses the need for respect for values of justice, freedom and equality for all humanity.”
– Nov. 14, 2015, in a statement

We strongly condemn attacks on innocent civilians anywhere; by individuals,groups or states. Condolences to victims' families. #ParisAttacks
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) November 14, 2015

The Nour Party

“Al Nour Party condemns the terrorist attacks that targeted the French Capital City, Paris, at the evening of 13th Friday, 2015, which resulted in at least 127 people killed and 180 injured among them 80 victims in a very dangerous conditions.

“Al Nour Party also confirmed, in the declaration, that targeting the innocent civilians is despicable act refers to the criminality of those who has done it. The declaration added that the Party offers its condolences to the French people, the families of the victims and to the injured.”
– Nov. 14, 2015, in a statement

Building and Development Party

“The Building and Development Party condemns the bombings and killings that took place in Paris last night that impermissibly killed civilians, women, and children. The party also calls for all state actors in conflict zones to review their foreign policies and the nature of their intervention in the affairs of other nations.”
– Nov. 14, 2015, in a statement

Wasat Party

“The Wasat Party strongly condemns criminal acts against civilians in all places. The party demands that the international community and all of its associations and entities to implement a unified strategy to confront terrorism, drain its resources, search for its true causes, and confront it with decisiveness and rigor. The party emphasizes that the Islamic religion is innocent of these shameful acts that does not have links to the teachings of Islam. Wasat offers condolences to the people of France and Lebanon and the victims of casualties.”
– Nov. 15, 2015, in a statement

Iran

President Hassan Rouhani

.@fhollande On behalf of great nation of Iran who's suffered evils of terrorism I condemn #ParisAttacks. Our thoughts & prayers are with you
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 14, 2015

"Terrorist attacks, which killed and wounded a lot of innocent people in Paris, caused great sorrow and grief. I, on behalf of the great Iranian nation which has been a victim of scourge of terrorism, strongly condemn the anti-human crimes and condole the mourning French nation and government. Without a doubt, the most important message following these kinds of incidents is more serious resolve and determination in all-out combat against terrorist groups."

– Nov. 14, 2015, in a message to French President Francois Hollande

Lebanon

Hezbollah

"We express our strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks committed by the criminals of ISIL.”

"People of our region who are suffering the earthquake of ISIL brutality are the most aware of this painful tragedy.”

"Whatever your political position is, our interest and your interest require that those terrorists must be prevented from exploiting your presence to commit terrorist crimes in Lebanon. Terrorist groups already do not discriminate between the Lebanese, the Palestinian and the Syrian... They do not distinguish between Shiites, Sunnis or Christians."
– Nov. 14, 2015, in a statement by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah

Turkey

The Justice and Development Party (AKP)

"Turkey knows very well the meaning of terror and its results. We are sharing the pain of both President Hollande and the French people, and I extend my condolences to our French friends.”

"The people of my country know all too well about terrorism and we think and feel the same for the attacks in Paris.

"We will continue our resolute stance against terrorism.”
– Nov. 13, 2015, in a statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The killings “targeted the whole of humanity.”

"These attacks are not only aimed at the French people, but also democracy, freedom and universal values; terror has no religion, nation nor any value it represents.”

– Nov. 13, 2015, in a statement by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

Algeria

Movement of Society for Peace

“In the wake of the criminal acts that struck Paris yesterday, and that killed and injured a large number of people, the Movement of Society for Peace strongly condemns these acts of killing and intimidation of innocent civilians. This act is far from our religion, our teachings, and our morals, so we express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

“The Movement of Society for Peace was and will remain calling for peaceful dialogues as a way to bring people together, so it emphasizes the necessity of generalizing justice, equality, and confronting these dangerous forces.

– Nov. 14, 2015, in a statement

Jordan

Islamic Action Front

“The Islamic Action Front followed the explosions that took place two days ago in the French capital of Paris that injured or killed dozens of civilians. We condemn these hideous criminal acts that targeted innocent citizens and emphasize our continuing rejection of these practices against Arabs and Muslims and all people of the earth.
– Nov. 15, 2015, in a statement