Islamic association condemns terrorist attacks in Xinjiang

The Islamic Association of China on Wednesday strongly condemned recent violent terrorist attacks in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The terrorists' "brutal and inhumane" act of killing government employees and innocent people, including Muslims, came in an attempt to undermine stability, solidarity among different ethnic groups and religious harmony, said a statement, quoting an unnamed spokesman for the association.

The spokesman blamed the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism at home and abroad as the "arch-criminal" of the attacks.

"They hold a religious banner, distort creed, propagandize religious extremist ideas, confuse believers' minds, and incite them to carry out a so-called 'holy war,' with creating trouble in Xinjiang and dividing China as the only goals," the spokesman was quoted as saying.

"Their acts are a sheer violation of the essence of Islam, and are firmly opposed by Muslims of different ethnic groups," the spokesman said, stressing that Islam is a peaceful religion that opposes violence and terrorism.

"Our fight against the 'three evil forces' is neither an ethnic or religious issue, but a major political war for safeguarding national integrity and ethnic solidarity," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said any tolerance of violent criminal acts is a serious abuse of the common interests of all ethnic groups, including Muslims and non-Muslims.

"Fighting violent terrorist crime is the common will of all ethnic groups, and we stand firm with the government efforts to fight such crimes in accordance with the law," the spokesman said.

The spokesman appealed to Islamic people and Muslims to keep their eyes open, distinguish between truth and falsehood, and have a clear understanding of the three evil forces' true intentions of using Islam to launch secessionist activities.

Islamic people and Muslims are asked to resolutely guard against religious extremist ideas, stick to the real creed of Islam, safeguard stability and consciously carry out religious activities within the scope prescribed by the law.

The spokesman said the association is pleased that the central authorities have paid close attention to Xinjiang's development and encouraged other provinces, regions and municipalities to help, as well. People in Xinjiang have reaped "unprecedented" benefits from the region's remarkable economic and social development since a landmark meeting was held in 2010 to set policies for supporting Xinjiang's development.

These support policies, as well as the development realized thus far, benefit people from various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including Muslims, the spokesman said.

The spokesman urged Islamic religious circle and Muslims in China to unite closely around government authorities, protect the common interests of people of different ethnic groups and contribute to the realization of the Chinese dream of rejuvenating the nation.