Berlin (ots) – “Such an act is the greatest insult to the spiritual legacy of the Prophet.” With this sentence, the Muslim scholar, preacher and pioneer of the international Hizmet movement condemned the knife attack in Nice, in which three people were killed in a church, and the terrorist attack in downtown Vienna. He learned of it with great sadness, as well as of the brutal murder of the Parisian teacher Samuel Paty a few days earlier. “The fact that the perpetrators had Muslim identities and shouted religious slogans only deepens my grief.”
To take the life of a person on the grounds that this person offended our prophet shows that the perpetrator did not understand the prophet’s message. Muhammad himself met all insults and disrespect for him with gentleness, forgiveness and mercy throughout his life. With generosity he won the hearts of those who were hostile to him.
Gülen, who has lived in the USA for over 20 years, and thousands of his followers around the world are committed to modern democratic Islam, equal rights for men and women, and interreligious dialogue. The Hizmet movement has achieved great importance worldwide, primarily through its successful educational work. The Dialogue and Education Foundation in Berlin acts as the point of contact for the movement in Germany.
Ercan Karakoyun, chairman of the foundation, underscores the scholar’s words: “I can understand the indignation of many Muslims very well. Mockery and ridicule at what is sacred hurt.” Nevertheless, the violence is unforgivable: “Nothing justifies the murder of a person; not even insulting the sacred!” The movement’s commitment is now all the more important, says Karakoyun, so that people can find their way back to understanding, reconciliation and peace. “As soon as the pandemic allows physical encounters again, we will resume dialogue with even greater determination.”
Press contact:
Ahmet Daskin Foundation Dialogue and Education Unter den Linden 39 10117 Berlin 030/20621400
Further material: http://presseportal.de/pm/122305/4755297 OTS: Foundation Dialogue and Education
Original content from: Foundation Dialogue and Education, transmitted by news aktuell
Presseportal-Newsroom: Dialogue and Education Foundation
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