Local Imam Reacts to Protests and Anti-Muslim Film
By: Rachel Spangenthal
Updated: September 20, 2012
Imam Samer Altabaa said the Islamic religion teaches things like mercy, love, and justice to all. He said the images of violent protests taking place across the world, are in fact disconnected from those teachings.
"Islam never taught violence or hatred to its followers," said Imam Altabaa.
But he said the depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in the film, "The Innocence of Muslims," has many Muslims upset.
"This film has some insult to our Prophet and that will hurt every Muslim in the world, actually, and it would hurt any believer, not only Muslims, because respecting Prophets and messengers is an action done by all believers," said the Imam.
The Imam believes everyone has the right to their own opinion.
"For a person to disagree with our prophets or holy book, this is fine, we always have agreement and disagreement."
And he said Muslims have the right to respond, but not in a violent way.
"In general, when Muslim's react, they have to react in a peaceful, civil way, not this reaction. If the Prophet Mohammed was here, he would be against this, he said this is not the right way not only Prophet Mohammed, any Prophet would be against this kind of action because all religions teach forgiveness, all religions teach tolerance, all religions teach love. You don't see any religion that teaches hatred."
"Islam never taught violence or hatred to its followers," said Imam Altabaa.
But he said the depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in the film, "The Innocence of Muslims," has many Muslims upset.
"This film has some insult to our Prophet and that will hurt every Muslim in the world, actually, and it would hurt any believer, not only Muslims, because respecting Prophets and messengers is an action done by all believers," said the Imam.
The Imam believes everyone has the right to their own opinion.
"For a person to disagree with our prophets or holy book, this is fine, we always have agreement and disagreement."
And he said Muslims have the right to respond, but not in a violent way.
"In general, when Muslim's react, they have to react in a peaceful, civil way, not this reaction. If the Prophet Mohammed was here, he would be against this, he said this is not the right way not only Prophet Mohammed, any Prophet would be against this kind of action because all religions teach forgiveness, all religions teach tolerance, all religions teach love. You don't see any religion that teaches hatred."
