The Holocaust bears lessons for us all, and we should all express concern when similar events occur.

These are great and evil events, along with the Holocaust, which are offensive to all of humanity.

Reconciliation comes through education and dialogue. This helps us dispel ignorance and allows us to appreciate one another's humanity.

The tactics that the abductors are using -- showing her with a veil on, crying, asking for the release of the Iraqi prisoners -- is an unacceptable tactic. Even if the abductors believe the Iraqi women are being imprisoned unjustly, Islam does not condone two wrongs making a right.

We say that the new year is a revered moment, a sacred time in Islam. People normally do not take off work or school, but at night there usually are programs in the mosques that many people attend. After prayers, the imams will talk about the significance of this month for all Muslims.

This kind of violence is contrary to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. These cartoons should never have been printed, but the Prophet Muhammad said that we should not reciprocate by returning evil for evil. We are to reply to evil only with good.