Qom Seminary Scientific Associations Condemns Insulting to Prophet Muhammad

Qom Seminary Scientific Associations issued a statement Condemning the Insult to the glorious Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

What follow is the full statement:

In the name of Allah the all compassionate the most merciful

لَقَد جاءَكُم رَسولٌ مِن أَنفُسِكُم عَزيزٌ عَلَيهِ ما عَنِتُّم حَريصٌ عَلَيكُم بِالمُؤمِنينَ رَءوفٌ رَحيمٌ

There has certainly come to you an apostle from among yourselves. Grievous to him is your distress; he has deep concern for you, and is most kind and merciful to the faithful.

(The glorious Qur’an 9:128)

Once again, the insult to the Prophet of Mercy; Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) occurred in France, and the support of the French President for this evil deed under the pretext of defending freedom of expression has caused deeper regrets.

This insult and the subsequent political support {by French government} occurred, while according to various international docs, the prohibition of insulting religious sanctities, especially the Holy Prophets, is so obvious that one cannot ignore hurting the feelings of hundreds of millions of Muslims and free people under the pretext of freedom of expression..

Many human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenants, freedom, including freedom of expression, has not declared absolutely free but it is actually restricted to some extent.There are frameworks within which Freedom of expression could be practiced such as public order, liberty of others, dignity of others, public morality, etc.The article 29[1] of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 8[2] of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 12 [3]of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,are applied within the framework of the principle of the rule of law, therefore cannot be relied on to apply absolute freedom of expression.

These restrictions, especially on the principle of freedom of expression, are specified in documents such as Article 19 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights along with the principle of responsibility. Such restrictions are even specified in Article 10 [4]of the European Convention on Human Rights. Respect for religions and the maintenance of respect for religious believers and the prohibition of religious hatred are mentioned in various resolutions, such as the Human Rights Council resolutions on “insulting religions” in 1999 therefore, in addition to human, moral and religious principles, according to international law, the prohibition of insulting is an exception to the principle of freedom of expression. On this basis, it is not possible to insult the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who is the most beloved and holy prophet among Muslims, under the pretext of freedom of expression.

Religious incitement and religious hatred has long been a tool for Islamophobia for some Western countries but undoubtedly, Muslims around world will not allow such a wave to be moved by the Western claimants of freedom, in addition to that these movements cannot stop the spread of Islam among free people with a clear conscience.

While condemning this immoral and inhumane act and the hate speech of the President of France, Qomseminary scientific associations expect the scientific and religious assemblies of the world, especially European countries and France, to consider human values ​​as well as legal rules and international documentsand condemn these shameless acts, and while considering the guarantee of the implementation of the international law system in preventing and confronting such evil acts as insufficient and ineffective, call for legal and political pursuit of this issue in the international assemblies.

Qom Seminary Scientific Associations

31/Oct/2020

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References

[1]. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

[2]. 1. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure:

(a) The right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, for the promotion and protection of his economic and social interests. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others;

[3]. The above-mentioned rights shall not be subject to any restrictions except those which are provided by law, are necessary to protect national security, public order (order public), public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others, and are consistent with the other rights recognized in the present Covenant.

[4] . The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary