Amid simmering religious tension, Muslims denounce killing of Christian family
By WAYNE PARRY
Associated Press Writer
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-bc-nj--familyslain0118jan18,0,7787616,print.story?coll=ny-region-apnewjersey
January 18, 2005, 3:58 PM EST

JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- As religious tension continued to boil here following the murder of an Egyptian Christian family, Muslim groups denounced the killings and prayed for the victims.

Prosecutors continued to investigate the possibility that Hossam Armanious, 47, his 37-year-old wife, Amal Garas, and their daughters, Sylvia, 15, and Monica, 8, were slain by a Muslim angered over postings that Armanious, a Coptic Christian, wrote in an Internet chat room.

The bodies were found bound and gagged Friday, their throats and heads stabbed repeatedly. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon.

But prosecutors stressed there is strong evidence that robbery might have been the motive for the killings.

"Money was not found at the scene," said First Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor Gaetano Gregory. "Mr. Armanious' pockets had been turned out and his wallet was emptied. A pocketbook had been emptied. Drawers had been rifled in the home."

He would not comment on the possibility of religious animosity as a motive in the slayings. Investigators have taken a computer from the children's bedroom.

"We continue to review several theories," Gregory said. "Our goal is to identify the killers. We believe that when the killers are identified, the motive for this wanton and vile crime will be revealed.

"We continue to explore any theory that is supported by evidence recovered at the scene," he said. "Speculation as to motive will not advance our inquiry."

The killings have created enormous tension between Coptic Christians, mainly immigrants from Egypt, and Muslims in this city still reeling from a wave of anti-Muslim bias after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Before, during and after Monday's funeral for the family, protesters screamed anti-Islam slogans and carried signs comparing the murders to Middle East terrorism. Mourners scuffled in the streets as emotions ran high.

"No one who believes in God could have done this, no matter what religion they are," Ahmed Sheded, president of the Islamic Center of Jersey City, said of the slayings after attending the funeral.

The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee denounced the killings as "senseless and horrible."

"Any crimes against civilians regardless of motives or justification are a serious breach of the covenants of all world religions and the civilized world," said Aref Assaf, president of the group's New Jersey chapter. "Ethnic or sectarian motives must be rejected as a justification for taking human life."

He said it is important to prevent "baseless generalizations" about religious strife between Muslims and Christians from making the killings even more serious than they already are.

"Religious and community leaders must unequivocally condemn the crime and the perpetrators," he said.

Likewise, the Council on American-Islamic Relations also condemned the killings and offered condolences to the Coptic community. Religious leaders said Muslims were keeping the family in their prayers.

"May God give comfort to the family and friends of the victims," said Magdy Mahmoud, president of the group's New Jersey chapter. He said the possible bias angle should be thoroughly investigated.