LOCAL Christian and Muslim leaders have joined forces to condemn the film recently made in America that expresses strong, anti-Islamic sentiments – and to condemn violent responses in various parts of the world.

The local leaders of four Christian denominations, and Muslim leaders from mosques and Islamic centres in Fareham and Portsmouth urged peaceful responses to the short online film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ that denigrates the Prophet Mohammed.

Protests against the film have continued in numerous countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia over the past week. A number of people have died including the US Ambassador to Libya, who was killed in Benghazi after demonstrators fired a grenade at the embassy.

Fresh protests erupted in the Middle East over a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed published in a French magazine last week (Thurs 20 Sept).

The joint statement from Christian and Muslim leaders said that violent demonstrations were playing into the hands of those who wished to attack Islam.
 
The signatories to the joint statement are:

• the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth;
• the Rt Rev Philip Egan, Roman Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth;
• the Rev Dr Andrew Wood, Chair of the Southampton District of the Methodist Church;
• the Rev Clare Downing, moderator of the Wessex synod of the United Reformed Church;
• Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo, Imam of the Al Mahdi Wessex Jamaat Community in Wickham;
• Sheikh Aminur Rahman, Imam of Portsmouth Jami Mosque;
• Mufti Liakoth Ali, Imam of Portsmouth Muslim Academy; and
• Mohammad Abdul Mukith , Chairman of Portsmouth Central Mosque.
  
  

They said: “One of the fundamental values of Islam is peace and the Islamic faith is a peaceful religion. Those who want to attack this faith have provoked a small minority of Muslims into doing precisely what has occurred.
 
“Muslims should recognise that this is an attack on their faith, but treat it with the contempt it deserves. This is a short film made in the USA by a small group of people who don’t understand Islam, and is not representative of America as a whole. We need to remind people to react with calm, peace and tolerance.
 
“The violence that has led to the destruction of property and the taking of innocent lives completely contradicts the teaching of any religion, including Islam. We strongly condemn such violence that does nothing to honour the Prophet whose honour the demonstrators want to defend.
 
“Freedom of expression is not absolute. As people of faith, we re-iterate that freedom of expression doesn’t justify spreading hatred based on faith, race, ethnicity or gender. Offending religious symbols or sacred spaces does real damage to society. We call upon all to show profound respect for the beliefs, texts, religious personalities and symbols of the various religions.
 
“But the right way to combat this is to ensure those who commit hate crimes are prosecuted. In addition we should work together to help to educate people about the importance of faith, and to promote the positive values of faith.
 
“It is only through the respect and understanding of the beliefs and values of all faiths that we will be able to promote peace, security and stability. As local faith leaders, we have already committed ourselves to this. Let’s urge others to do likewise.”