Islamic Supreme Council of Canada

Ontario: 2126 Burnhamthorpe Rd., West, : P.O.Box 67070, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 5V4
Alberta: 28 Crowfoot Terrace NW, P.O. Box 68142, Calgary, Alberta T3G 3N8, Canada

British Columbia: 4065 Pandora Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 2B1

Date: February 7, 2006

Press Release

Provocation from Muslims will not be Tolerated

Iranian Newspaper Must not Publish Any Cartoons Against Holocaust

Calgary) On behalf of Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC) and Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT), we urge the Iranian newspaper not to publish any cartoons against Holocaust or against the beliefs of non Muslims. It is very disturbing and sad that few Muslims are getting involved in actions that have been forbidden by Qur’an and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Today, Aljazeera.net reported, “Iran’s largest selling newspaper has announced it is holding a contest on cartoons of the Holocaust in response to the publishing in European papers of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad”. This is not acceptable to Muslims and must stop.

In Qur’an Allah has ordered Muslims not to even make fun of false gods of non-Muslims;

“And do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest exceeding the limits they should abuse Allah out of ignorance. Thus have We made fair seeming to every people their deeds; then to their Lord shall be their return, so He will inform them of what they did.” (Surah Al An’am, 6:108)

It is against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to provoke non-Muslims by insulting their religious, cultural and historical symbols. The only action a Muslim must take when non-Muslims make fun of Islam is to invite them for a dialogue.

“ Say: O followers of the Book! come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran; 3:64)

Therefore, we request the Iranian government and the spiritual leadership of Iran to use their influence and ask the Iranian newspaper not to publish cartoons against Holocaust. Muslims must not do the same what European newspapers did to Muslims. We must rise higher in our conduct. We urge the worldwide Muslim communities to stop violent protests. Violence is against Islam and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Violence will hurt Muslims only. We must protest against the Danish cartoons but without violence.

We also urge the European Union to use its all resources and influences on newspapers and media organizations to stop the spreading of the caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). We strongly condemn the further publication of these insulting and offensive Danish cartoons in Ukraine. This spreading of hate and violence must stop.

Thanks

Syed B. Soharwardy

President, ISCC

Founder, MAT

Toll Free: (866)-208-6898 soharwardy@shaw.ca