Demonstrators in Benghazi, Libya, with a message to the world,
at a rally to condemn an attack on the U.S. Consulate in that
city,
and the murder of U.S. envoy Chris Stephens, Sept. 12.
Libyan Fatwa Court
Calls Attack on Americans an 'Offense to Islam' (Al Watan, Libya)
"What
happened to the U.S. consulate in Benghazi is an offense to Islam, strengthens and
encourages its enemies, and will tend to drive away anyone interested in Islam
and wishing for Islam’s victory. ... It is an act that is rejected by all
Libyans who love their homeland and all of those who define themselves as Muslim
and belonging to Islam."
Muslims around the world continue to protest a low-budget film insulting to the Prophet Mohammed by what appears to be a Christian extremist in the United States. Above, Palestinians in Gaza protest the movie, 'Innocence of Muslims.' The sign the man holds says, 'You are More Dear than My Father and Mother, My Beloved Prophet Mohammed.'
The Libyan Fatwa Court has expressed strong condemnation and
opposition to the despicable attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi,
which claimed the life of the American ambassador and three U.S. citizens at
the American Consulate. The Court added that the Prophet prevented killings of
ambassadors, envoys, people under their protection and covenanters [the people
of the book. i.e.: the Bible]. The Fatwa Court also strongly condemned the provocation
of the feelings of Muslims by producing movies, pictures or articles that are
detrimental to the Prophet or any of Allah’s prophets by ultra-extremists in
America.
[Editor's Note: According to the Facebook page of The Libyan Fatwa Court, the organization was inactive for the past 30 years under the dictatorship of Mohammar Qaddafi. According to is mission statement, Libya's Transitional National Council, which was replaced after elections in August, asked the Libyan Fatwa Court to resume its duties as an independent religious organization and issue fatwa's on the affairs of the nation. It should also be noted that most Muslim nations have a similar nationwide religious organization. In general, a fatwa is a ruling concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar].
In a press release on Thursday, The Fatwa Court made clear that what happened to the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is to be condemned,
is a dangerous indicator of a serious breakdown of security, and is a challenge
by force of arms to the power of the state. It is an act that is rejected by
all Libyans who love their homeland and all of those who define themselves as Muslim
and belonging to Islam.
The Fatwa Court described the attack on the U.S. Consulate
in Benghazi as "irresponsible, and greatly damaging to the interests of our
nation, which puts it at a disadvantage in relation to other nations; alienates
us in reference to other nations by giving them reason to classify Libya as a
terrorist country; and makes interference in our domestic affairs and
violations of our sovereignty more likely."
The statement added that "what happened to the U.S.
consulate in Benghazi is an offense to Islam, strengthens and
encourages its enemies, and will tend to drive away anyone interested in Islam
and wishing for Islam’s victory." It said that what happened there is a result
of the "unwarranted bloody violence that has taken place over recent
months in many areas of Libya between and among armed groups which battle one
another without the authority and legitimacy of national authorities, which are
responsible for the nation's shrines and tombs." The statement labels as
criminal any armed attack by any group outside the legal framework of the state.
[Editor's Note: the reference to "shrines and
tombs" is an implicit attack on Libya's Salafists, who have mounted a
string of attacks
on the country's Sufi shrines, which are of great international historic significance].
