Muslim World Academics Urge Integrated, Decisive Stances against Acts of Sacrilege
The International Quran News Agency (IQNA) organized the online seminar dubbed “Unassailable Quran” with the participation of academic figures from different countries on Tuesday.
It gained its name from verse 41 of Surah Fussilat which reads: “Indeed it is an unassailable book.”
Sheikh Ali al-Qaradaghi, secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) from Qatar, was the first speaker at the event.
He said in recent years there have been numerous incidents of defiling Islamic sanctities.
“Previously, we witnessed insults to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) times and again and now the Holy Quran is being insulted in Sweden and Denmark.”
The Muslim Ummah includes many countries and governments, he said, adding that if they adopt a unanimous and definite stance against Quran desecration, the enemies would not dare to defile the sanctities of the Islamic world any more.
Professor Hassan Hassan al-Qais, president of the Islamic University of Lebanon, also stressed the need for Muslims to maintain unity and unanimity in the face of anti-Quran elements.
He added that the Muslim world should also show the Islamic morality and tolerance to the world.
He said the Muslim world’s academic figures and elites should pursue legal means to confront Quran desecrations and emphasize that insulting human values have been condemned in international and human rights laws.
Al-Qais also called on Muslims to push for passing of laws at international bodies that criminalize insults to the Quran.
Professor Muhammad Azmi Abdulhamid, president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM), was another prominent figure addressing the webinar.
He said it is important to know that there is misunderstanding about Islam in Europe and the way the religion is portrayed in Western media plays a role in spreading this misunderstanding.
He added that there are incorrect accounts and readings about the Quran in the Western societies.
The media has a major role in this, trying to portray the Quran as a dangerous text that is against human rights, democracy and human rights, Abdulhamid deplored.
Professor Mohammad Roslan bin Mohammad Nor, who heads of the Department of Islamic History and Civilization of Universiti Malaya in Malaysia, also offered his views at the webinar.
He cited Verse 9 of Surah Al-Hijr of the Holy Quran, “Surely We have revealed the Quran and We will most surely be its guardian”, and said God has pledged to safeguard His Book and will do so and acts of desecration will have no effect on the sanctity and status of the Quran.
He also said it is necessary to introduce Islam and the Quran to the West to counter Islamophobia and hate.
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