Their declaration did not prevent Balbir Singh Sodhi (49), a Sikh, who?s been living in America for 10 years, from being killed. He died in a drive-by shooting on Saturday after his assailants shot him three times in the back at the Arizona service station which he ran.

The irony is that Sodhi wasn?t even Muslim, merely of Eastern origin.

The president of the Muslim Judicial Council in Cape Town, Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, who is also the Imam of Portlands Mosque in Mitchell?s Plain, took time out to speak to iafrica.com about Islam, violence and the backlash.

On Islam and violence
Even in the time of war, when Islam is busy with the enemies of Islam, Islam does not allow its soldiers to kill children, women, old people, demolish plants or trees, destroy a church or a synagogue including the parishioners and priest of the church.

So if Islam doesn?t allow this, what about at nine o? clock in the morning while people are in their offices?

What took place in America is totally un-Islamic.

Results of a survey done last week by Cape Muslim community radio station Voice of the Cape: 85% of Cape Muslims polled sympathised with the Americans. 70% of those polled said there were reasons for the attack and America's policies in various countries were to be blamed; saying thousands have died and are still suffering in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, even Hiroshima as a result of US policies. However, Muslims have strenuously denied gloating over the attack. 20% of those polled said the attack might have been due to domestic reasons. 60% objected to Osama bin Laden being fingered without any proof.

If Islam wants to go to war, there are certain things the ruler of the Muslimeen or the leader of the army of the Muslimeen must do before the first bullet is shot.

Islam would compromise and negotiate with the other country to make peace or it would allow the other country to pay a security tax ? to ensure its safety. If these fail, then maybe, under consultation of other leaders, they will attack.

On Islamophobia
After the Tuesday bombing, Muslims were immediately blamed.

It is surprising that the world and America specifically have not learnt from the Oklahoma City bombing ? when they initially blamed a man of Middle-Eastern origin, only to find out afterwards it was one of their own who did it.

A few years ago in Rwanda many thousands of people were also killed? That didn?t receive wall-to-wall coverage by the media. Before the US bombings, hundreds were killed in Nigeria?

It seems that the life of other people besides the Americans and Europeans is cheaper. That is sad.

It is so unfair on Muslims ? whether they are in America, South Africa, Australia or Europe ? that just because they are Muslim and wearing the clothes of a Muslim they are now being victimised.

Even if it is found that last Tuesday?s act was carried out by Muslims, how is it possible that they can blame each and every Muslim in this world? Yet, it hasn?t stopped Muslims from all over the world from expressing empathy and their condolences.

On Islam?s stance on terrorism carried out in the name of Islam
When the perpetrators are found, they should be dealt with, regardless of whether they are Muslim.

On how the Cape Muslim community feels about the attacks
The community is not rejoicing about what happened. What has been expressed, however, is that America needs to look at its foreign policy. Because while they know there is injustice against Palestinians, they continue to support Zionism.

It is important for us to make a distinction between the American people and American government. Our hearts are with the American people ? they too are the creation of God.

Muslims feel that the American government has been responsible for the death and suffering of so many children ? in Iraq through the sanctions, in Palestine, there are so many other places?

There is a feeling that the government of America need to be reminded of the suffering millions of others experience every day ? because of them. At the same time we pray for the victims and their families?

Hadeeth - a saying by the prophet The holy Prophet Mohammad had said, as was reported by Anas bin Malik: Fight in the name of Allah, do not steal, nor cheat, nor mutilate, and do not kill a newborn baby. You will find men isolated from people in the houses of worship (churches), leave them alone. You never kill a woman, nor an infant baby who suckles, nor old men, who abandoned the world. Do not break a palm tree, nor uproot a tree, and do not destroy a house.