In the Name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Production of a Film in the United States, abusing the Ultimate Character of the Prophet Muhammad SAW

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions,

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holding its 20th session in Oran, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, on 26 Shawwāl – 2 Dhū al-Qi’dah 1433h (13–18 September 2012),

Noticed with great concern how the mal attitude of those who hate Islam has led them to the extent of producing a film in the United States of America to offend the supreme status of the great Prophet Muhammad SAW.

This act, which contradicts all the divine laws, international conventions and human values, constitutes a severe insult that reached the most sacred symbol of the Islamic nation, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, the messenger of mercy sent by Allāh the Almighty to humanity at large. Such behaviour would undoubtedly stir up feelings of disapprobation and denounce not only among Muslims, but also on the part of anyone who has an alive conscience. Needless to say, acts of this type do not at all serve the cause of peace and coexistence because extremism would lead to nothing but similar counteraction and undesirable consequences. The Academy while condemning this disgraceful act and unacceptable be- haviour as well as all other acts of those who have bad intentions, indicates the

following:

First: Freedom is not an absolute value. It should always remain closely linked to responsibility so that the freedom of any individual or group would not go to the extent where it runs counter to that of others or hurt their moral or material rights, let alone going as far as to insult the sacred symbols and faith of a whole nation. The rationalization of freedom has repeatedly been empha- sized by the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA). In the plenary session of the 59th Meeting of UNGA convened on 11 November 2004, a resolution was issued to encourage inter-religious dialogue. Among the main issues that were clearly reflected in that resolution is the need to combat religions’ defamation. The resolution also indicated that mutual advice and inter-religious dialogue constitute two fundamental dimensions of inter-civilizational tolerance and a culture of peace.

Furthermore, in the sixty-first session of the UN Human Rights Committee

(UNHRC), reference was made to sufferings of Muslim minorities and sects in non-Muslim countries; the negative image of Islam propagated in the media; and the practices of adopting and enforcing rules that discriminate against Muslims and target them. UNHRC resolved the adoption of resolutions relating to combating defamation of religions and called upon countries to take strict actions to ban publication of ideas and materials that provoke racism and hatred of others; show hostility to any religion or its followers; or instigate discrimi- nation, enmity or violence.

Among the most important points, which the resolution brought into focus is that deliberate attempts to distort the image of religion are one of the main causes of social discord and violation of human rights, as it negatively affects peaceful coexistence and mutual respect followers of different faiths.

Second: The Council of the Academy strongly reject selectivity in dealing with issues of Islam and Muslims and call upon leaders of the countries where these offensive works against Islam happen to take strict action to prevent their publication, rather than resorting to denunciation which has no actual effect of rectification and disciplining.

Third: The Council of the Academy calls upon leaders of Muslim countries to have firm positions against such practices and alerts leaders of concerned countries how such unacceptable acts could negatively affect the interests of their countries and the future of relationships between peoples and civilizations. Fourth: The Council of the Academy appeals to organizations of civil so- ciety in the west and all noble and conscientious people around the world to condemn this anomalous behaviour and assemble behind civilizational values that preserve faiths and respect religious symbols. It also appeals to the UN to issue mandatory resolutions criminalizing any act of provoking hatred against

Islam or defaming its sanctuaries and symbols.

Fifth: the Academy calls upon all Muslim organizations to refute these con- tentious attitudes. Nonetheless, demonstration of support to our great Prophet SAW should always stick to peaceful means and abidance by principles of Shariah, without aggressions against people or their properties, or attacks against diplo- matic missions; we should honor commitments and conventions in compliance with Islamic values.

Sixth: The Council urges Muslims to commit themselves to follow the path of their Prophet SAW and demonstrate such commitment in practice, in order to show his real message of carrying divine mercy to the world, and thus rectify the wrong image which the enemies and opponents of Islam try in vain to dis- seminate everywhere.

Muslims have no doubt that Allāh the Almighty Who is the All-Capable preserves His religion and that Islam will always remain victorious, despite the

tendentious attacks that are launched against it. Allāh the Almighty said: «For suf- ficient are We unto thee against those who scoff» (Al-Ḥijr, 95), and He also said,

«For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from future hope)» (Al-Kawthar, 3). And let our final prayer be that all praise is to Allāh, the Lord of all the worlds, and peace and blessings are to our Master Muhammad and His family and all

His companions.