January 2, 2025– We strongly condemn the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of fifteen people and wounded more than thirty-five in the early hours of the New Year’s Day in New Orleans, Louisiana. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by this horrific event.

We reiterate our condemnation for all forms of terrorism, targeting civilians for political or any other purposes, and disregard for the value of human life.

News sources report that the attacker might be affiliated with or influenced by ISIS, a brutal group that shamelessly exploits the name of Islam. In the context of this tragic attack, we reiterate the words of the late Fethullah Gulen, the inspiration behind the Hizmet movement, in his condemnation of previous terrorist attacks through a message published in major U.S. newspapers on September 17, 2014:

“As a practicing Muslim deeply influenced by the tenets of my faith, I strongly condemn the brutal atrocities of the ISIL terrorist group. Their actions are a disgrace to the faith they proclaim and crimes against humanity. Religion provides a foundation upon which to establish peace, human rights, freedoms and the rule of law. Any interpretations to the contrary, including the abuse of religion to fuel conflicts, are simply wrong and deceitful.”

We ask God, the Merciful, to lead us all toward mutual respect and peace, and we invite everyone around the world to join us in these prayers.

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