The bombing attempt on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was condemned by Muslim groups . In Canada , a group of Canadian and U.S. Islamic leaders issued a fatwa , or religious edict , condemning any attacks by extremists or terrorists on the United States or Canada and declaring that an attack by extremists on the two countries would constitute an attack on Muslims living in North America . " In our view , these attacks are evil , and Islam requires Muslims to stand up against this evil , " said the fatwa signed by the 20 imams associated with the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada . It concludes that Muslims " must expose any person , Muslim or non-Muslim , who would cause harm to fellow Canadians or Americans " . One of the imams was reported saying : " it is religious obligation upon Muslims , based upon the Qur ' anic teachings , that we have to be loyal to the country where we live " . The fatwa also indicated that religious leaders have a duty to show others around the world that Muslims in Canada and the U.S. " have complete freedom to practice Islam " and that " any attack on Canada and the United States is an attack on the freedom of Canadian and American Muslims . " As gesture of solidarity with the country 's Coptic Christian minority , Egyptian Muslims showed up at churches on the eve of the Coptic Christmas on 6 January 2011 during mass service forming a " human shield " against any possible further attacks . In the days before the mass , Muslims and Copts joined together in a show of solidarity that included street protests , rallies , and widespread Facebook unity campaigns calling for an " Egypt for All " . In Lebanon , separate condemnations came from the Sunni Mufti of the Republic Mohammad Qabbani and Deputy Head of the Shiite Supreme Council Abdul Amir Qabalan . Hamas has also condemned the bombing in Alexandria , assigning the blame to hidden hands that do not wish well for Egypt and its Muslim and Christian people and seek to inflame sectarian strife . Hamas in its statement sent condolences to Egypt and the victims ' families , and hoped that facts would be disclosed the soonest and that those responsible would be brought to justice
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Muslim attitudes toward terrorism