Grand Imam of Al-Azhar urges UN Secretary-General to pursue international resolution curbing insult towards symbols of all religions.
The UK Branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG UK) joins with Muslims the world over in condemnation and disappointment at the deliberately provocative release on the internet of the thirteen minute derogatory and deeply insulting film titled ‘Innocence of Muslims’. The film is a disgusting attempt to provoke and incite the Muslim masses by tarnishing and ridiculing the character of the Messenger Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam (Allah bless him and grant him peace).
The release of the film has resulted in mass demonstrations across the globe as the masses converged onto the streets to express their hurt and anger. More details are beginning to emerge regarding the production of the film and the people involved with it which point to the fact that the aim of the film was indeed to grossly misrepresent and hurl profound insult at the most holiest figure within the faith of Islam.
Al-Azhar – which represents the spirit of the Islamic community – has called on the general intellectuals, thinkers and leaders across the world irrespective of their faith background, ethnicity and country, to reject this irresponsible act which harms world peace and positive relations amongst peoples and nations. In these sensitive times, Al-Azhar has urged all to demonstrate wisdom and self-control.
In a letter address to the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Shaykh Professor Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb, called for an international resolution to curb attacks on the symbols of Islam and its sanctities, as those boldly perpetrated by some misguided fools who do not know the value of social peace amongst peoples and allow for discord to be fuelled between them. Such individuals should be punished for committing these heinous acts.
The Grand Imam further wrote, “Al-Azhar calls on Mr Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, reminding him of the first of his duties to protect world peace from every threat or aggression … The time has now come for a resolution to criminalise attacks on Islamic symbols as well as symbols of all other religions following the occurrence of such an aggression towards them causing disturbance to world peace and threatening international security. This is the first responsibility of the organisation you assume responsibility for and overlook its affairs. This is in order to guarantee that such recurrences do not take effect in the future. Remaining silent in this dangerous situation is simply not an option and is a stance that does not suit those with intellect and those who hold official responsibility.”
Representing WAAG UK, the Vice President, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, stated, “On behalf of our Grand Imam in Al-Azhar, Shaykh Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb, and our UK President, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, as well as our office bearers and national members of WAAG UK, we wish to express our pain, disgust and protest at the release of the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ which has aimed to cause offence and which has created the intended unrest globally. The film follows a pattern of insults hurled at the Muslim community in the recent past from inflammatory cartoons to inaccurate televised documentaries and represents a very shallow and abusive depiction intended to incite religious hatred. Freedom of expression does not entail the freedom to offend and to endanger peace and civility. We support the call of Al-Azhar for a global strategy to protect the dignity and honour of all religions and their symbols and sanctities.”
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