¡¡¡¡BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Islamic Association of China strongly condemns the military actions against Iraq launched by the United States and some other countries, says a statement issued by the Association Saturday.

¡¡¡¡The statement says the Association fully supports the Chinese government's principled stance on the Iraq issue.

¡¡¡¡On March 20, the United States and some other countries, bypassing the UN Security Council and ignoring the opposition of the international community, launched military action against Iraq.

¡¡¡¡The statement says the United States and some other countries have ignored the diplomatic mediation and efforts made by the international communities to avoid war and the anti-war voices expressed by the people in most nations, including the people of the United States.

¡¡¡¡"The Association expresses its great concern and sympathy to the Iraqi people who are suffering from the agony of war", says the statement.

¡¡¡¡The Association strongly calls for the United States and some other countries to stop the military operations, and return to thecorrect path of political settlement of the Iraq issue.

¡¡¡¡"Islam advocates for peace and more than 20 million Chinese Muslims love peace and oppose war", says the statement.

¡¡¡¡It says the stances and opinions that the Chinese government holds on the Iraqi issue represent the wishes of the Chinese people, including the Muslims.

¡¡¡¡"We, the Chinese Muslims, should start from the national fundamental interests and speak out the wishes for peace and anti-war sentiments through normal channels", the statement says.

¡¡¡¡The statement says the Chinese Muslims sincerely pray for Allahto bless the world with peace and tranquillity and the Iraqi Muslim brothers and sisters out of the disasters of war as early as possible. Enditem