A group of twenty Islamic leaders from Canada and the U.S issued a Fatwa (religious edict) on Friday declaring that any terrorist attack on North America to be an attack on the 10 million Muslims who reside there. 

The issuance of the Fatwa by clergy members associated with the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, is the first such religious declaration of its kind in Canada, and it calls upon Muslims to "stand up against" what it calls "evil" attacks perpetrated by "extremists". 

"In our view, these attacks are evil, and Islam requires Muslims to stand up against this evil," declares the Fatwa (which can be read in full here).

According to a report from CBC News, one of those imams, Syed Soharwardy - founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, says that any attack on our soil is an attack on Muslims;

"We are part of this society," he said. "This is my home, and if anybody attacks on Canada, in fact, attacks on my home."

The imams religious statement quotes the holy Qur’an to back their view;

"Let there among you be a group that summon to all that is beneficial commands what is proper and forbids what is improper; they are the ones who will prosper." (3:104)

"Believing men and believing women are protecting friends of one another; they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong; they perform salat and give zakat..." (9:71)

"Those who, if We establish them in the land (with authority), establish regular prayers and practice regular charity and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong..." (22:41)

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in a Hadith;

"When people see a wrong-doer and do nothing to stop him, they may well be visited by God with a punishment."

The group also points out that the "constitutions of the United States and Canada are very close to the Islamic guiding principles of human rights and freedom", and that it is every Muslims obligation, based upon the Qur'anic teachings, to be loyal to the countries where they live and help to protect their fellow countrymen.

"Therefore, any attack on Canada and the United States is an attack on the freedom of Canadian and American Muslims.  Any attack on Canada and the United States is an attack on thousands of mosques across North America. It is a duty of every Canadian and American Muslim to safeguard Canada and the USA. They must expose any person, Muslim OR non-Muslim, who would cause harm to fellow Canadians OR Americans. We, Canadian and American Muslims, must condemn and stand up against these attacks on Canada and the United States."