News

Protest Against "anti-Islam Film"

In order to protest against the film titled 'Innocence of Muslims' produced in the USA and condemn the resulting violence the Muslims of Leicester are organising a public meeting outside The Leicester Central Mosque, Conduit Street, Leicester, LE2 0JN on Friday 21st September 2012 at 14:30.

 

The Islamic Centre and The Leicester Central Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the UK, has condemned in its strongest possible term this inflammatory and inaccurate film.

Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, Head Imam of Islamic Centre said, “This film has caused global unrest in the Muslim world and is the worst possible violation of freedom of expression. We firmly believe that Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon Him and His family) always taught and practiced peace and tolerance, and throughout his life he always upheld universal human values. To depict him as a violent extremist is disgusting and reprehensible. Muslims consider it a gross insult to the Prophet and we call upon all faith leaders to condemn this unjustified action and show their solidarity with the Muslim world in respect of safeguarding the honour and sanctity of all faiths and their founders.

At the same time we condemn the violence and evil actions of a few that led to the tragic killing of the US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens. This vile film was intended to provoke exactly the kind of reaction it received in Benghazhi and other places.”

Malik M Salim MBE, Chairman of the Islamic Centre appealed the Muslim Community to remain calm and stick to the values advocated by the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon Him and His family) and at the same time exercise their legitimate right of peaceful protest. He said, “We would like to record the protest and wish to communicate to those extremists that the hatred of Islam through such movies would not harm the great personality of the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon Him and His family) or any aspect of Islam but would only backfire on the people who spread venomous ideas.”

The Islamic Centre PR officer Mustafa Malik said, “This film should be banned across the world and the filmmakers should be punished. We also appeal to the international community to take steps to criminalise any act of abusing great prophets and messengers such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon Him and His family).”

We expect Muslim community leaders, Imams of local mosques and representatives of other faith communities to come together and participate in this protest.