Al Azhar Observer Condemns Re-publishing Charlie Hebdo Cartoons

Ali Rajab

Al Azhar Observer for Combating Extremism announced its complete rejection and strong condemnation of the French “Charlie Hebdo” magazine, which reprinted offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad – may God bless him and grant him peace – in the magazine’s issue today, Wednesday.

The Observer warns that the insistence on the crime of republishing these offensive cartoons entrenches hate speech and fuels feelings among followers of religions, and stands as a wall against creating a healthy environment in which everyone lives of different religions and beliefs, and is an unjustified provocation of the feelings of nearly two billion Muslims around the world, as well as It could hinder global efforts led by major religious institutions on the path of interfaith dialogue, which culminated in the signing of the Human Fraternity Document between the two biggest religious symbols in the world, in February of last year.

Al-Azhar Observer also reiterates its strong condemnation of the criminal attack on the headquarters of “Charlie Hebdo” in the beginning of 2015, affirming Islam’s rejection of any acts of violence, and calling on those in charge of the magazine to respect the beliefs and sanctities of others.

Al-Azhar Observer called on the international community to take a firm stance in encroaching on the sanctities of Muslims and their symbols, and that duplication in dealing with followers of religions and the policy of double standards and turning a blind eye to the crimes of the extreme right will only provide humanity with more hatred, extremism and terrorism.

The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, said: “Those who dared to commit the crime of burning the Noble Qur’an should know that these crimes are barbaric terrorism by all standards, and they are hateful racism against which all human civilizations excelز

He added, “There is no doubt that these heinous crimes fuel feelings of hatred, undermine the security of societies, and threaten the hopes raised by the dialogue of religions and civilizations.”

Al-Tayyib stressed: “They must realize that burning the Holy Quran is a burning of the feelings of nearly two billion Muslims around the world, and that human history will record these crimes in the pages of shame and shame.”

Al-Azhar Observer for Combating Extremism also praised the step of forming the German Interior Committee to confront hostility against Islam, describing that hostility not only poses a threat to Muslims, but also threatens societal cohesion in general.

Al-Azhar Observer for Combating Extremism confirmed that the formation of this 12-member committee, which begins its work next October and will continue for a period of two years, is a step on the right path that reflects the German government’s determination to combat the phenomenon of hostility against Islam, which sensed its danger to the security of society and the unity of its fabric.

Remember, the German Interior Minister, had announced his intention to form these last March – which was followed by Al-Azhar Monitor at the time-; This happened after the attack on two cafes with an oriental character in the German city of “Hanau”, which killed 11 people and a number of wounded.