Local religious leaders condemn violence in Middle East - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Local Muslim leaders are calling for prayer and restraint in the wake of the spreading violence in the Middle East. One local Islamic community is reaching out to tell citizens of all faiths that the killings and mob behavior is wrong.

"We wholly condemn all sorts of violence in Libya and Egypt. There is no excuse that can be used to justify the killing of the U.S. ambassador and the diplomats," said Hazeem Pudhiapura of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Norcross.

Pudhiapura said that the perpetrators behind the violent acts should face justice.

Dr. George Wirth of First Presbyterian Church on Peachtree Street, who is co-chairman of an organization that represents 3,500 churches in the metro area, said now is a critical time.

"This is not the best of any of our religions. These are fanatical, far to the right or far to the left aberrations of what we in the mainstream believe and we cannot stand still and be quiet at this time. We need to speak out," said Wirth.

Wirth's organization is working with members of the local Muslim community to form a coalition with Jewish and Christian churches.