(Overland Park, KS, 6/28/16) -- The Crescent Peace Society (CPS), a Kansas City area interfaith organization, joined with Muslims around the world in condemning today’s senseless and horrific attack at the Istanbul airport.

“We are outraged by these attacks on innocent people travelling to visit Istanbul, one of the most beautiful cities in the world,” said Ahsan Latif, President of CPS. “We grieve today for the victims and their families and applaud the heroic work of law enforcement in preventing the damage from being even greater.”

“That this attack takes place during the holy month of Ramadan, especially during the last ten days of the month which Muslims revere as a time for reflection and self-evaluation, demonstrates how inconsistent such violence is to the practice of Islam,” said Latif.

Although the identities and motivations of the criminals who perpetrated today’s attack are still unknown, Turkey has been targeted frequently by the so-called Islamic State for its role as a front line member of the coalition currently fighting to eliminate the terrorist group. “In this and so many of these attacks, Muslims were the targets and the victims of ISIS,” said Latif. “Muslims worldwide are disgusted by these evil acts committed by criminals who claim to share our beliefs. In the strongest terms possible we reject their violent ideology.”

The so-called “Islamic State” is often referred to as Daesh. “Daesh is the Arabic name for ISIS or ISIL which rejects the organization’s self-proclaimed status as the ‘Islamic State.’ Daesh has proven to be a monstrous organization whose brutal acts have no foundation in any faith or ideology.
CPS has previously joined with U.S. and World Muslim leaders by endorsing an open letter to the leaders of Daesh, refuting the ideology of the terrorist group ISIS and urging its supporters to repent and "return to the religion of mercy." The letter can be found at http://lettertobaghdadi.com.

The Crescent Peace Society is a Kansas City area interfaith organization seeking to enhance the understanding of Muslim cultures through educational and cultural activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences among people of diverse cultures. Its mission is to build bridges among faith communities, encourage dialogue, and promote justice and mutual understanding.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ahsan Latif, President, 913-485-9218, latif.ahsan@gmail.com and Advisory Board Member Mahnaz Shabbir,816-213-2536 and mahnaz@shabbiradvisors.com

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(Overland Park, KS, 6/12/16) -- The Crescent Peace Society (CPS), a Kansas City area interfaith organization, today expressed solidarity with the LGBT community in Orlando and condemned the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub.

“Kansas City area Muslims join with those around the country in shock and disgust at the senseless attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,” said CPS President Ahsan Latif. “We are deeply saddened by the evil committed by this individual and reject any claims by the suspect or others that this action was justified by his religion.”
"Our concerns and prayers are with those affected by these terrible attacks," said Latif. "Our hearts grieve for the families of the victims."
Islamic organizations in Florida are calling for Muslims to respond to this attack by joining the community in donating blood to help save the lives of victims of the attack.
The LGBT community and the Muslim community have a shared status as minority populations in the United States and have collaborated and supported one another in their shared pursuit of justice against discrimination. Our cooperation on these issues stands diametrically opposed to the hatred and disregard for life demonstrated by the suspect of today’s shooting.
The Crescent Peace Society is a Kansas City area interfaith organization seeking to enhance the understanding of Muslim cultures through educational and cultural activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences among people of diverse cultures. Its mission is to build bridges among faith communities, encourage dialogue, and promote justice and mutual understanding.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ahsan Latif, President, 913-485-9218, latif.ahsan@gmail.com and Advisory Board Member Mahnaz Shabbir,816-213-2536 and mahnaz@shabbiradvisors.com
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(Overland Park, KS, 6/8/16) The Crescent Peace Society (CPS) will hold its annual interfaith iftar or fast-breaking dinner on June 11 at the Leawood Community Center.  The goal of the event is to share the experience of opening fast with the community and celebrate the holy month of Ramadan with neighbors and friends. 

"We value the friendship and support of our fellow Americans,” said Ahsan Latif, President of CPS. “In order to dispel misconceptions about our religion and what it is to practice Islam, it is our pleasure to bring people together to break their fast in the spirit of Ramadan.” 

This outreach effort is designed to enhance understanding of the Muslim experience in America and to help Americans of all faiths meet their Muslim neighbors by participating in a complimentary post-fast meal. Guests from all over the Kansas City Area have been invited, including local and state municipal officials, interfaith leaders, professors, activists and law enforcement officials. Expected guests include the mayors of Leawood and Overland Park and several members of the Kansas City refugee community. 

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a special time for Muslims during which they refrain from food, drink, and other worldly pleasures from dawn to sunset daily. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which serves as a spiritual and physical cleansing of the mind and body respectively. 

WHAT: Crescent Peace Society Annual Interfaith Iftar 

WHEN: Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. with the fast opening at 8:45 p.m.
WHERE: Oak Room at the Leawood Community Center (lower level of the Leawood City Hall, 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood, KS 66211
To RSVP please visit crescentpeace.org

The Crescent Peace Society is a Kansas City area interfaith organization seeking to enhance the understanding of Muslim cultures through educational and cultural activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences among people of diverse cultures.  Its mission is to build bridges among faith communities, encourage dialogue, and promote justice and mutual understanding.

 MEDIA CONTACT: Ahsan Latif, President, 913-485-9218, latif.ahsan@gmail.com and Board Member Mahnaz Shabbir, 816-213-2536 and mahnaz@shabbiradvisors.com