Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) strongly and emphatically condemns the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, which claimed the lives of at least five and injured at least 200.

While police have not yet established a motive for the attack, its perpetrator, 50-year-old doctor and Saudi political asylee Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, is reportedly in custody. Based on his political activism and social media activity, he appears to be an ex-Muslim who blames German police and authorities for facilitating the rise of Islamism within Germany, and he also appears to be a staunch supporter of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and far-right political causes.

EXMNA stands firmly and uncompromisingly against any and all ideological violence, whether that be Islamist terrorism or far-right anti-Islamic terrorism. EXMNA’s commitment to the values of secularism and human rights have no compatibility with those of ideological extremists, nor with those of anyone willing to murder innocents in the service of an ideological goal. EXMNA has consistently opposed far-right politics which foster grassroots political violence by rejecting the principles of multiethnic democracy and liberalism.

EXMNA looks forward to hearing more from German authorities about the nature and motive of this attack and sends its deepest condolences to its victims. Additionally, EXMNA reaffirms its commitment to a future where all people are free to follow their conscience free from the threat of violence.