In the last few weeks the world has witnessed the response to an evil, insulting and abhorrent movie that maligned the noble character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Such insult to a religious icon has brought about overwhelming condemnation, and we believe that the vast majority of Americans disapprove of such attempts to sow seeds of hatred amongst people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds. We would like to help our fellow citizens understand the complicated yet extremely sensitive nature of the whole situation. This in no way should be seen as condoning any violence in the name of our religion.

Also see:
 ICNA condemns attacks on U.S. missions in Egypt, Libya
 
The Use and Abuse of Hate
 
Growing Anti Muslim Bigotry: ICNA’s 6-Point Response
 
Quran Burning “Misguided”: ICNA Ups Quran Distribution
 
ICNA Condemns Blasphemous Cartoons Depicting Prophet Muhammad (S)
 
ICNA wants apology for disrespectful gesture
 
There are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims in the world today, representing different ethnicities and speaking different languages. In the United States of America it is estimated that the American Muslim population comprises almost every ethnicity of the world. What unites them is their faith in God, Almighty and their belief in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last Prophet of God.
 
Muslims all over the world love the Prophet (PBUH). This love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) takes precedence over the love of their own families and even love for themselves. They regard him as a man who, through amazing moral strength and absolute commitment to the Message of God, brought about a revolution in the deserts of Arabia. A revolution that spanned the entire world in less than 100 years, liberating humanity from the tyranny of the few and liberating man from the servitude of the creation to the servitude of the Creator.
 
Friday Sermon (Jummuah Khutbah):
 Why do we love Rasoolullah (SAS) by Shaykh Abdool Rahman Khan
 
God Almighty declared Muhammad a “Mercy to the Worlds” (Quran: Chapter 21 verse 107). He was known as “The trustworthy” and “The one who always speaks the truth,” even amongst his enemies. He was the man who gave the honor of making the very first call to prayer to a former black Abyssinian slave while the rich and the aristocrats of Arabia stood watching by. His noble character is described in the Quran as, one with “exalted standard of Character” (Quran: Chapter 68, verse 4).
 
Muslims believe that the message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the same as the message brought by previous prophets like Abraham, Moses and Jesus (PBUT). They also love and respect these other prophets of God (Quran: Chapter 2 verse 285, Chapter 42 verse 13) and insult to any of these religious icons is an insult to their belief system itself (Quran: Chapter 6 verse 108).
 
Relevant Videos:
 Muslim American Reaction to Anti-Islam Video – CNN Interview with Dr. Zahid Bukhari, President, ICNA

 
“Freedom of speech & the Pauly controversy: A new light” – An award winning short documentary.
 
When someone insults a messenger of God, it hurts all Muslims. The Muslim community has always welcomed intellectual and scholarly discourse on Islam, and history is witness to the fact that Muslim scholars debated in a civil manner with scholars from other faiths. But there is a difference between an intellectual and scholarly criticism and distasteful, cheap and offensive talk.
 
As Americans we understand the importance of the right to free speech and freedom of expression. American Muslims value this right on behalf of every American citizen and would never shy away from ever defending this right. We also feel that this right to free speech should be seen as a great responsibility. Freedom of expression and willful provocation will have different outcomes, and such is the case of free speech and hate speech. The right to freedom of expression should not be an opportunity to spread hate and pass insults on sacred religious icons. American society is mature enough to recognize that hate speech is not acceptable.
 
As mentioned in the Bible: 
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18, New American Standard Bible 1995). 
Let us all as Americans unite in bringing about the healing that is desperately needed in our global village today.
 
PBUH – Peace be upon him
PBUT- Peace be upon them

19 Responses

  1. I watched the video and found it very appropriate. May Allah bless you and your associates.
    Mr. Hussain Khan in Japan and his apprehensions needs to be addressed if you feel like responding.
    ZBUS.

  2. It has come to light very clearly that the diplomates in Libya were not killed by protesters.At the same time it can be noted that organizers of ralleys all over the world appealed for peaceful protest.We the muslims in America shall not overcondemn the reaction of muslims.Most of the damage was done by the violent reaction of the respective Govt. agencies.Also, by the way, how many people dis each year after soccer games in the heart of Europe? How many people in this world can claim that they are free of sensitivity and emotions?I will apeal everyone not to be afraid of each other and JUST BE FAIR TO EACH OTHER PLEASE.

  3. If our prophit Mohammad, PBUH, still alive today, what his reaction could be when he hear about such cartoons and movies? I think, and Allah, SWT, knows, he will be smilling and excuse those made such mistakes because they do not really know him! he will, propably blame us, as Muslims, because we did not do enough dawa to non Muslims in the world! He propably, will blame those who made wrong actions and made the materials by which the senario of the movie could be made. In fact, the violent reactions Muslims made, confirm to the non Muslims that such movie was correct! On the contrary, we should take our prophit’s history (Sirah), as a guidance for our reactions towards non Muslims when they commit mistakes against Muslims.See how he forgive people of Mecca after 10 years of crimes against Muslims. He sent them free! Those non Muslims who do proper research, like Micheal Heart, could reach to the truth as we know about the most 100 influential people in the world, and put him at # 1.

    1. An illegitimate is in fact a real pimp, born out of wedlock.Its the nasty instinct which forces him to vulgarity.On the other side, a man with the reasonable good family background, always avoid it.You may be unlucky.

    1. An illegitimate is in fact a real pimp, born out of wedlock.Its the nasty instinct which forces him to vulgarity.On the other side, a man with the reasonable good family background, always avoid it.You may be unlucky.

Leave a Reply

SUBSCRIBE
OUR NEWSLETTER

Islamic Circle of North America
166-26 89th Ave
Jamaica, Queens
NY 11432

Telephone/Fax: (855) 855-ICNA (4262)