Attacks on foreign embassies un-Islamic: Grand Mufti

RIYADH — Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Senior Ulema and Administration of Religious Affairs and Ifta, Saturday denounced attacks on diplomats and embassies as un-Islamic after deadly protests against a US-made film against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Grand Mufti also called on governments and international bodies to criminalize insults against prophets and excoriated the film that has prompted a wave of fury across the Muslim world.

“It is forbidden to punish the innocent for the wicked crimes of the guilty, or to attack those who have been granted protection of their lives and property, or to expose public buildings to fire or destruction,” he said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency.

Describing the release of the crudely made short film as “miserable” and “criminal”, he added that attacks on the innocent and diplomats “are also a distortion of the Islamic religion and are not accepted by Allah.”

“The greatest victory to the Prophet (pbuh) is to follow his guidance, adhere to his Sunna and spread his virtues,” Al-Sheikh said, adding that the futile criminal attempt manifested in the blasphemous movie will not harm the Prophet in any way nor the religion because Almighty Allah has raised high the Prophet’s esteem and brought upon those who oppose him a painful torment and humiliation.

He stressed that Muslims’ condemnation of this criminal attempt should be within the boundaries decreed by Allah in His Holy Book and His Prophet’s Sunna.

He said Muslims should be enlightened enough to understand that this sinful and criminal endeavor was not meant to insult the Prophet (pbuh) because by all means they cannot hurt him. History tells us that through such provocations enemies try to distract Muslims from strengthening unity and progress. Thus the best and most effective answer to these provocations would be for Muslims to go ahead in strengthening unity and achieving progress with greater determination, he said.

Saudi Arabia Thursday condemned the release of the movie and the deadly attacks against US missions.

The Kingdom “condemns the violent reactions in several countries against US interests,” an official source said.

Saudi Arabia also denounces “the production by an irresponsible group in the United States of a film insulting Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).”

The Kingdom conveyed its condolences and sense of grief on the death of US diplomats in the attack at the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, the official statement carried by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Thursday. It also “affirms its rejection of all acts that insult religions and religious symbols,” the statement said