Muslim Advocacy Groups Urge Compassion And Unity Following New York City Attack

Nick Visser
Updated

Muslim advocacy groups have condemned Tuesday’s deadly truck attack in New York City.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the country’s largest Muslim civil rights group, called the incident a “cowardly attack” meant to sow discord across America, and offered its “sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured.”

“Since the goal of such heinous crimes is to divide our nation, it is incumbent on Americans of all faiths and backgrounds to frustrate that criminal objective by standing united in the face of terror,” CAIR said in a statement, using the hashtag #NYCStrong.

Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a 29-year-old Uzbek national, is accused of driving a rented Home Depot pickup truck into pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path along the West Side Highway. Although NYPD commissioner James P. O’Neill would not confirm reports that Saipov yelled “Allahu Akbar” upon exiting the vehicle, he did say that the suspect had made a statement that was “consistent” with a terror attack.

At least eight people died and 11 others were wounded in the incident. Five victims were identified as Argentine citizens and one Belgian was killed, according to their countries’ foreign ministries. Saipov was shot at the scene but is expected to live.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) said it was “devastated and angered by this act of terror” and offered its “deepest thoughts and prayers” to the victims of the attack.

Albert Fox Cahn, legal director for CAIR’s New York chapter, echoed calls for compassion, saying the city would stand strong after the incident.

“In the wake of this tragedy, we know that New Yorkers will not only show our city’s enduring resilience, but we will prove that our love and compassion are stronger than anyone who attacks and divides us,” Fox Cahn said.

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Investigators inspect the truck. 
Investigators inspect the truck. 
Investigators inspect the truck.
Investigators inspect the truck.
Emergency crews at the the scene of a violent incident on West Street in Manhattan, New York City.
Emergency crews at the the scene of a violent incident on West Street in Manhattan, New York City.
Multiple bikes crushed along a bike path in lower Manhattan.
Multiple bikes crushed along a bike path in lower Manhattan.
First responders assist a woman injured on the bike path.
First responders assist a woman injured on the bike path.
First responders tend to a victim. 
First responders tend to a victim. 
A police officer at the scene.
A police officer at the scene.
A body covered on West Street in Manhattan.
A body covered on West Street in Manhattan.
Emergency personnel at the scene. 
Emergency personnel at the scene. 
Police gather at the scene after reports of multiple people injured after a truck plowed through a bike path in New York City. 
Police gather at the scene after reports of multiple people injured after a truck plowed through a bike path in New York City. 
The truck drove down a popular biking path in lower Manhattan. 
The truck drove down a popular biking path in lower Manhattan. 
State Police stand near the scene of a pickup truck attack, on West Street in Manhattan, New York, U.S., October 31 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
State Police stand near the scene of a pickup truck attack, on West Street in Manhattan, New York, U.S., October 31 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Security forces cordon off the area.
Security forces cordon off the area.
New York Fire Department (NYFD) and New York Police Department (NYPD) vehicles sit parked on a blocked off street.
New York Fire Department (NYFD) and New York Police Department (NYPD) vehicles sit parked on a blocked off street.
New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers on Chambers Street surround the rented Home Depot Inc..
New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers on Chambers Street surround the rented Home Depot Inc..
A pickup truck used in an attack sits on the intersection of West and Chambers Street.
A pickup truck used in an attack sits on the intersection of West and Chambers Street.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.