Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — The General Secretariat of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the statements made by the Chairman of the Justice Committee in the Swedish Parliament against the religion of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary general of MWL and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, said in a statement that the recent attack on the religion of Islam was from someone, who is a prominent person, holding the chair of the Justice Committee in the Swedish parliament. This is a clear indication of the rise of extremism and Islamophobia in an official entity headed by this person.

Sheikh Al-Issa noted that Sweden enjoys excellent relations with the Islamic world, and the Swedish people are appreciated and respected by Muslims and are described as civilized and friendly people. In such a scenario, this abusive and immoral words only represent the person who expressed them and the entity headed by him.

The MWL statement emphasized that the insults made by the parliament member reflect his ignorance about the truthfulness of Islam, and these were based on concepts promoted by extremists, which are not related to the truthfulness of Islam and its tolerance in any way.

Al-Issa called on the benevolent people of Sweden to stand united in confronting the growing tendency that seeks to create a rift between Muslims and other members of Swedish society on the one hand, and between Sweden and the Islamic world on the other hand, saying that these trends are based on the concepts of extremism that tend to incite clashes and conflict between civilizations.

The MWL chief expressed hope that the Swedish consciousness, with its national and human values, believes in fraternity, love and mutual respect among the Swedish people and maintaining friendship between nations and peoples. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the alliance between civilizations within the framework of their multiple commonalities.

Dr. Al-Issa considered that the insistence on practices that provoke hatred and insult religious feelings is unjustified under any pretext, whether it is against Islam or other religions, cultures and races. He rejected such practices even in the name of freedom as these are contrary to values of humanity. He also noted that the Muslims of Sweden love their country and are proud of it and prepared to offer sacrifices for it.

Dr. Al-Issa stressed that the parliament panel chief’s statements only serve the agendas of extremism to silence the voice of reason as it deals a blow to the efforts of rapprochement and building bridges between nations and peoples.

The MWL chief warned Muslims in Europe in general and in Sweden particular against being fallen in the trap of extremists who want to spread an atmosphere of mutual hatred among various segments of society, stressing that such anti-Islamic statements in turn must encourage Muslims to hold fast to their values that emphasize the necessity of building rather than destruction, rapprochement rather than disunity, and keenness in upholding the cohesion of societies. He also stressed the importance of rallying around the state in accordance with the constitution and laws of each country, whatever its identity.

Sheikh Al-Essa stated that Islam is against exchanging abuse for abuse and against any negative behavior in terms of words or deeds, including behavior that violates the laws, especially those that provoke hatred and escalation. “Such issues shall be dealt with wisdom in line with the fundamental principles advocated by the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”

The MWL chief also emphasized that Islam is a religion of truth that is not harmed by any sorts of provocation, and that followers of Islam who constitute around two billion believe in it as a religion of mercy and peace for the entire humanity.