UK Branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates vehemently refutes the deceptive assertions of the militant terror group, ‘Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent’
On 3rd September 2014, Ayman al-Zawahiri, leader of Al-Qaeda, announced the establishment of a new branch of his terror network in the Indian subcontinent in a video posted online, by merging various terrorist and militant groups in the region together, to form what became known as ‘Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)’. With the issue of the offensive cartoon contest to depict the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Holland attempted by the Dutch MP, Geert Wilders, attracting the attention of the whole world, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent issued a misleading and deceptive statement on 11th September 2018, marking the 17th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
Al-Azhar Alumni UK, which is the UK Branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, joins with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt as well as its branches worldwide, in particular in the Indian subcontinent, to strongly condemn and reject the statement issued online by AQIS, in which the terror group has called for Jihad in the West under the pretext of revenge for those who abuse and insult the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The statement is thoroughly misleading on both issues: the honour of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as well as the call for Jihad in the West. The statement is another attempt of these murderous terrorists to further undermine and distort the pure teachings of Islam, in order to promote their own geo-political agenda of creating chaos and destruction in the world.
Al-Azhar Alumni UK cautions against falling into the hands of such extremist rhetoric and deceptive propaganda, and it calls on the Muslims to portray the correct and true image of Islam by means of positive dialogue and moderation in thought and conduct, especially here in the West. In response to the recent statement by AQIS, Al-Azhar Alumni UK clarifies the following three points:
- The unsuccessful attempt of the far-right Dutch politician, Geert Wilders, to hold a competition to draw cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as well as similar acts and statements hurling abuse and insult towards the Prophet of Islam are strongly condemned. At the heart of this provocation, as well as past activities of this kind promoted by Mr Wilders, lies hatred and an incitement to discrimination, hostility and social discord. When such outbursts of hatred are allowed to publically go unchecked, then it is the victim minority communities who suffer not only discrimination, but attacks and abuse also, just as the attacks on Muslims are rising across Europe and in this country.
- Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to be the last and final Messenger of Allah Almighty. The centrality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) within Islam is the foundation of this religion. His honour, respect and reverence are pivotal within the teachings of Islam. Love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as well as all other prophets before him (peace be upon them), is a necessary part of Islam. His love is a requisite leading to complete faith, and love for him is determined by Islam to be more than anything in this world. As such, he firmly remains in the hearts of Muslims across the world. Any attempt to insult the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) creates heartfelt grief and hurt to the Muslims. However, it is important to note that the Prophet Muhammad’s honour does not require protection through murder, violence and revenge. Enduring patience, tolerance, kindness and mercy was the character of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself.
- Islam is a religion of peace and security, tolerance and forbearance, forgiveness and compassion, respect and love, and of moderation. There is no scope for murder and decimation, anarchy and disorder, extremism and terrorism in it whatsoever. As Allah Almighty states in the Qur’an that whoever has killed one person unjustly, it is as if he has murdered the entire human race. [Qur’an 5:32] With reference to anarchy and disorder in the land as well as terrorism, Allah Almighty states that this is a more severe crime than even murder. [Qur’an 2:191] Furthermore, it is an unequivocal statement of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that Allah Almighty will punish those people who cause pain and anguish to other people in the world. Islam promotes peace, tolerance and pluralism. No matter how much one may disagree with the views of others, Islam does not allow an individual to take the law into his own hands and commit murder.
The attempt of AQIS to use the issue of insulting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to call for attacks in the West using the term Jihad are treacherous and an attack on Islam. Terror groups who have caused so much suffering and bloodshed in the world cannot be given the opportunity to benefit from the sentiments of Muslims towards their Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to further their evil agendas.
In view of the Muslims, there is no doubt that hurling insult towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a matter firmly rejected and severely condemned, and it is a crime. This is part of their faith, and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has not neglected its responsibility in this regard at all. From the very beginning, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has rejected and countered all attempts of undermining the personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and it has called on governments of the world and the international community through effective diplomatic channels to find ways of putting a stop to insult being hurled towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Furthermore, it is from the principles of Islam’s conduct and character not to return evil with evil, or violence with violence. Rather, the response to evil and wrongdoing is by upright and better character, and by portraying the genuine and true personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
In reality, terror groups of this kind are doing no favours for the Muslims. They are tools at the hands of the enemies of Islam who are trying to distort and wipe away the true picture of Islam in the world and to inflict suffering and harm upon the Muslims. These terrorists are the cause of the blood of millions of Muslims being spilled in recent times. It is crucial for Muslims not to fall into the trap of these enemies of Islam and enemies of humanity.
Al-Azhar Alumni UK, along with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, further calls on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its part in bringing about legal frameworks that prohibit the hurling of abuse at the personality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and other sacred personalities. Moreover, Muslims of Europe are urged to portray the true personality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by opening doors of dialogue, meetings and positive endeavours, so that the non-Muslims begin to see and appreciate the excellence of this Prophet of Mercy (peace be upon him).
