False Accusations Concerning the Grand Mufti of Egypt in his Response to the Geerts Wilders Issue
20 February 2009 Filed in: PRESS
RELEASES
On January 31, 2008 an article appeared on the Canada
Free Press website entitled “Wilders Prosecution is a
Welcome Opportunity to Expose Islam” (article) in which the author
Dr. Sami Alrabaa wrote concerning the Grand
Mufti:
This statement is a fabrication, plain and simple. The only article that appeared in the Ahram newspaper that day penned by the Grand Mufti was his weekly column, reproduced and rendered into English below. The article does in fact discuss the Wilders film issue, but in no way condones the killing of innocent peoples. Sheikh Ali Gomaa has made numerous public statements condemning the killing of innocent lives, most notable in his article that appeared in the Washington Post “The Meaning of Jihad in Islam” July 21, 2007 (LINK). He has also been an advocate of speaking out against anti-Semitism. In his weekly al-Ahram column on January 1, 2007, he publicly asserted that the anti-Semitic The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a forgery and made an official court complaint concerning a publisher who falsely put his name on an introduction to its Arabic translation.
Ali Gom’a, the grand mufti of Egypt, the highest Muslim religious authority in the world, supports murdering non-Muslims. In the daily Al Ahram (April 7, 2008), he says, “Muslims must kill non-believers wherever they are unless they convert to Islam.” He also compares non-Muslims to apes and pigs, not only the Jews.
This statement is a fabrication, plain and simple. The only article that appeared in the Ahram newspaper that day penned by the Grand Mufti was his weekly column, reproduced and rendered into English below. The article does in fact discuss the Wilders film issue, but in no way condones the killing of innocent peoples. Sheikh Ali Gomaa has made numerous public statements condemning the killing of innocent lives, most notable in his article that appeared in the Washington Post “The Meaning of Jihad in Islam” July 21, 2007 (LINK). He has also been an advocate of speaking out against anti-Semitism. In his weekly al-Ahram column on January 1, 2007, he publicly asserted that the anti-Semitic The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a forgery and made an official court complaint concerning a publisher who falsely put his name on an introduction to its Arabic translation.
Prior to Sheikh Gomaa’s column on the Wilders issue,
he issued an open letter to Geerts Wilders calling on
him to empty his heart of hatred. The coverage of the
open letter by al-Dustur newspaper is also reproduced
below.
These allegations demonstrate not only a lack of understanding of Arabic, but also are part of the agenda that seeks to paint the Grand Mufti of Egypt as a promoter of violence and hatred; two traits he has worked endlessly at eradicating.
A message from Dr. Ali Gomaa to Wilders the one behind the Dutch movie: “Take the hatred out of your heart!”
Al-Dastur Newspaper April 1, 2008
Shayma’ ‘Abd al-Latif
Dr. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, addressed a letter to the vice chair of the Dutch Parliament, Wilders, in which he responds to Wilder’s viewing of his own movie which defames Islam and the Prophet, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him. In the letter addressed to Wilders it is written:
This is an open letter to Geert Wilders, the Dutch MP who read the Qur’an according to his own personal interpretation and that of ignorant people whom he singled out. We have heard your call to get rid of hatred and we are thankful that you have made this call for we rid our hearts of hatred through following God’s message and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Now it is time for you to heed the call and remove hatred from your heart and understand the Qur’an as it has been understood by Muslim scholars throughout history: as a book of guidance that warns against misinterpretation and confusing matters that are clear.
Whoever adheres to these principles will perceive the reality of the Qur’an, but those who want to play with its meanings will never arrive at the truth, regardless of their religion.
We will not let extremists, regardless of their ideological background, religion, or perspective, whether they are from the East or the West, destroy the bridges of mutual understanding, cooperation, and dialogue that we have built for our children and ourselves. We want to live in peace, and we have seen that the majority of people in the world, individuals, governments, and entire populations, have rejected your bigoted approach.
It is incumbent on Muslims throughout the world not to be alarmed by zealots or crushed by those whose purpose it is to destroy. Rather, you should be productive members of your communities, as is the teaching of Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
The Crises of the Negative Dutch Film
Al-Ahram Newspaper April 7, 2008
Dr. Ali Gomaa
The Dutch ambassador visited me recently and this was before the public viewing of the negative Dutch film. During his visit I mentioned the hadith of the boat which is narrated by N‘uman ibn Bashir that the Messenger of God peace and blessings be upon him said, “the one who is firm in guarding the boundaries of God and those who fall into them is like a group together on a boat. Some of them are on top, and others on the bottom. The people in the bottom, when they need water, go to the people at the top. They decided, instead, to puncture the bottom of the boat to take their share of water and not bother the group at the top. If the group at the top does not stop them, they will all drown.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
I told the ambassador it is important to “slap on the wrists” those transgressors who desire destruction and dissention. People’s hearts are not in the hands off any one human and this sort of negativity that comes from people not in positions of authority and responsibility affects the well-being of countries and citizens, even if they are not religious. They have made commercial benefit the basis of their actions, and what will be done if a boycott takes place of that particular nation, without a call from any one person, and the losses reach into the billions? This is the end of what I wanted to share with you regarding this visit.
Then the Dutch Ambassador sent me a release issued from the Dutch government and it stated, “This film shows graphic images and places the responsibility with Islam and the Holy Qur’an. The government condemns this film as well as those who produced it. Mr. Wilders places violence and Islam on the same side of the scale and we reject this interpretation. Likewise, the majority of Muslims reject violence and extremism and they are sometimes the victims.” The release was concluded with these words. “The Dutch government believes in a society that places freedom and respect at par.”
Now, I ask about the strange position of European nations that rejects adopting the UN proposal that criminalizes harm towards and disrespect of religions. What is their purpose in this? Have Muslims been silent in regards to this kind of harm? What are the necessary practical steps required that they should take? Muslims have not been silent; they have risen in front of the world in a better and stronger position in that they are striving to criminalize harm and disrespect towards religion.
There is a young man in Egypt, Moez Masoud, who produced a short movie some time ago that is now being viewed again that carries the same name as this negative film “Fitnah” which talks about the reality of Islam. There is also the organization “Bridges” run by Mr. Fadil Suleiman and the movies he produces that talks about the same subjects. As for those who desire dissension and to destroy bridges, we are against them from whichever religion they are from the East or the West.
Holland is one of the most densely populated countries in the word. They have approximately 16 million residents within 41 square kilometers. It is therefore one of the most densely populated regions of Western Europe. Its population is also varied according to faith. There are atheists, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. As for the atheists, they make up approximately 40%, Catholics 31%, Protestants 21%, and Muslims are around 5%.
There is great variation within the Muslim community itself. There are Sunni Muslims, Shites, Alawites, and Ahmadis. There are also Sufi groups and the government for the most part allows them to practice freely regardless of their theology, principles, or political positions. Muslims have the right to build mosques, to establish religious organizations, despite the country being secular and having a clear division of church and state. Yet churches, mosques, and other religious institutions continue to operate in an independent fashion.
Within the Dutch model Muslims have the same societal and national rights like any other citizen in Holland. The Dutch constitution forbids discrimination based on religion or creed, and the constitution guarantees equal state funding for both Christian and Muslim schools. Muslims also participate in Dutch politics and there is even an Islamic-Democratic party that has members in the council of Leiden, and two members of the national government are Muslims.
These facts help us picture the country from which this person and this film have come from; a film that has caused this crisis. Issuing a legal ruling on any situation or issue is part of framing the situation and issue correctly. We are in great need of an accurate frame for all that is around us in order for us to issue these rulings that achieve the goals of our religion and our worldly life, and that also achieve the goals of humanity which will allow us to continue in the path of development.
These allegations demonstrate not only a lack of understanding of Arabic, but also are part of the agenda that seeks to paint the Grand Mufti of Egypt as a promoter of violence and hatred; two traits he has worked endlessly at eradicating.
A message from Dr. Ali Gomaa to Wilders the one behind the Dutch movie: “Take the hatred out of your heart!”
Al-Dastur Newspaper April 1, 2008
Shayma’ ‘Abd al-Latif
Dr. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, addressed a letter to the vice chair of the Dutch Parliament, Wilders, in which he responds to Wilder’s viewing of his own movie which defames Islam and the Prophet, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him. In the letter addressed to Wilders it is written:
This is an open letter to Geert Wilders, the Dutch MP who read the Qur’an according to his own personal interpretation and that of ignorant people whom he singled out. We have heard your call to get rid of hatred and we are thankful that you have made this call for we rid our hearts of hatred through following God’s message and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Now it is time for you to heed the call and remove hatred from your heart and understand the Qur’an as it has been understood by Muslim scholars throughout history: as a book of guidance that warns against misinterpretation and confusing matters that are clear.
Whoever adheres to these principles will perceive the reality of the Qur’an, but those who want to play with its meanings will never arrive at the truth, regardless of their religion.
We will not let extremists, regardless of their ideological background, religion, or perspective, whether they are from the East or the West, destroy the bridges of mutual understanding, cooperation, and dialogue that we have built for our children and ourselves. We want to live in peace, and we have seen that the majority of people in the world, individuals, governments, and entire populations, have rejected your bigoted approach.
It is incumbent on Muslims throughout the world not to be alarmed by zealots or crushed by those whose purpose it is to destroy. Rather, you should be productive members of your communities, as is the teaching of Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
The Crises of the Negative Dutch Film
Al-Ahram Newspaper April 7, 2008
Dr. Ali Gomaa
The Dutch ambassador visited me recently and this was before the public viewing of the negative Dutch film. During his visit I mentioned the hadith of the boat which is narrated by N‘uman ibn Bashir that the Messenger of God peace and blessings be upon him said, “the one who is firm in guarding the boundaries of God and those who fall into them is like a group together on a boat. Some of them are on top, and others on the bottom. The people in the bottom, when they need water, go to the people at the top. They decided, instead, to puncture the bottom of the boat to take their share of water and not bother the group at the top. If the group at the top does not stop them, they will all drown.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
I told the ambassador it is important to “slap on the wrists” those transgressors who desire destruction and dissention. People’s hearts are not in the hands off any one human and this sort of negativity that comes from people not in positions of authority and responsibility affects the well-being of countries and citizens, even if they are not religious. They have made commercial benefit the basis of their actions, and what will be done if a boycott takes place of that particular nation, without a call from any one person, and the losses reach into the billions? This is the end of what I wanted to share with you regarding this visit.
Then the Dutch Ambassador sent me a release issued from the Dutch government and it stated, “This film shows graphic images and places the responsibility with Islam and the Holy Qur’an. The government condemns this film as well as those who produced it. Mr. Wilders places violence and Islam on the same side of the scale and we reject this interpretation. Likewise, the majority of Muslims reject violence and extremism and they are sometimes the victims.” The release was concluded with these words. “The Dutch government believes in a society that places freedom and respect at par.”
Now, I ask about the strange position of European nations that rejects adopting the UN proposal that criminalizes harm towards and disrespect of religions. What is their purpose in this? Have Muslims been silent in regards to this kind of harm? What are the necessary practical steps required that they should take? Muslims have not been silent; they have risen in front of the world in a better and stronger position in that they are striving to criminalize harm and disrespect towards religion.
There is a young man in Egypt, Moez Masoud, who produced a short movie some time ago that is now being viewed again that carries the same name as this negative film “Fitnah” which talks about the reality of Islam. There is also the organization “Bridges” run by Mr. Fadil Suleiman and the movies he produces that talks about the same subjects. As for those who desire dissension and to destroy bridges, we are against them from whichever religion they are from the East or the West.
Holland is one of the most densely populated countries in the word. They have approximately 16 million residents within 41 square kilometers. It is therefore one of the most densely populated regions of Western Europe. Its population is also varied according to faith. There are atheists, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. As for the atheists, they make up approximately 40%, Catholics 31%, Protestants 21%, and Muslims are around 5%.
There is great variation within the Muslim community itself. There are Sunni Muslims, Shites, Alawites, and Ahmadis. There are also Sufi groups and the government for the most part allows them to practice freely regardless of their theology, principles, or political positions. Muslims have the right to build mosques, to establish religious organizations, despite the country being secular and having a clear division of church and state. Yet churches, mosques, and other religious institutions continue to operate in an independent fashion.
Within the Dutch model Muslims have the same societal and national rights like any other citizen in Holland. The Dutch constitution forbids discrimination based on religion or creed, and the constitution guarantees equal state funding for both Christian and Muslim schools. Muslims also participate in Dutch politics and there is even an Islamic-Democratic party that has members in the council of Leiden, and two members of the national government are Muslims.
These facts help us picture the country from which this person and this film have come from; a film that has caused this crisis. Issuing a legal ruling on any situation or issue is part of framing the situation and issue correctly. We are in great need of an accurate frame for all that is around us in order for us to issue these rulings that achieve the goals of our religion and our worldly life, and that also achieve the goals of humanity which will allow us to continue in the path of development.