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"as Muslims are also a part of the community in both countries - which is true"

you simply re-state my point, which is that only because 10 million Muslims live in N. America is this fatwa being issued..... "don't kill your fellow Muslims" is the message..... and if there were few if any Muslims here well then it would be open season for terrorists according to this idea......

I suppose it is positive in some way, since it is almost unheard of for Muslims to condemn jihad terrorism, but I don't have to appreciate the idea that my family, friends, countrymen are only worthy of protection because otherwise some nearby Muslim(s) might be harmed in the same damnable terror attack.

Consider the objects of this message.

The message is being delivered to Muslims all over the world. Islamic terrorists will be unlikely to respond to a statement that they shouldn’t attack non-Muslims. The Imamas, I believe, are delivering a message in terms that are most likely to effectuate the desired results, i.e. bug off terrorist - you attack them and you attack us.

I could be wrong about this and you could be right. But this is the FIRST time I have heard of a Muslim group condemning terrorism. I hope it isn’t the last.

I get what you're saying, and even agree to a point. If the only reason this is being issued is that they don't want other muslims to be killed, then it is fairly hollow, but I don't see it that way.

In order for this edict to carry any weight with the jihadis (which I think was the whole point) it has to look like they aren't defending Americans and Canadians, just muslims. The fact that these muslims are Canadian and American citizens isn't something that is discussed. This edict reads as a condemnation of Terrorism in general. The Quran supports jihad, there isn't much question of that, but now these Imams are saying that what the terrorists are doing isn't jihad, so therefore its evil.

The text goes on to say that Muslims aren't persecuted here (North America) and have complete freedom of religion, which could take a bit of wind out of the jihadi argument that they are fighting to free their brothers from persecution, time will tell on that.

A little late to the party, but welcome all the same. For them to come out like this with a religious edict condemning terrorism is a huge step on their part. It'll be interesting to see the international reaction.