In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and the consequence for the pious, and prayers and peace be upon the envoy as a mercy to the worlds, on his brothers from the prophets and messengers, his family and companions and those who followed his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
After
Thinkers and debaters in the Islamic world follow what Islam is exposed to in its constants and foundations, offensive cartoons and offensive films are raised in Denmark and France, about the Messenger of Mercy to the worlds (may God's prayers and peace be upon him), and the Holy Quran is burned, torn, and trampled underfoot, and repeated in Sweden with the knowledge, approval and protection of the Swedish government, under the slogan of freedom, and exploited by the extreme right to dominate the government.
On the other hand, our first Qiblah, the occupiers increased their desecration and division of time and space, and the conduct of their religious rituals in it, in addition to the fact that they also tore up the Qur’ans in some mosques of Palestine and killed several people carelessly.
Also, there are heinous attacks on the symbols of Islam and Muslims, such as the mothers of the believers: the husbands of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the honorable companions.
In the face of these grave events and threats directed towards the holiness of Islam, and the abuses directed towards Muslims, regardless the feelings of two billion Muslims, the International Union of Muslim Scholars in cooperation and coordination with a large number of associations, scholarly associations, Islamic movements, Arab and Muslim parliamentarians, thinkers, have gathered in this global forum held in Istanbul, and at the headquarters of "Umad" - Muharram 1, 1445 corresponding to 7/22/2023, and they discussed, and delivered expressive words that resulted in this statement: -
First: Freedom in Islam is also sacred, and it is confirmed by the legal texts even in the field of belief and religion. The Almighty said:” so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve”. Al-Kahf: 29
But the freedom that is accepted rationally and legally is the one that does not affect the freedom and dignity of others. If the dignity of a person is sacred, then how is the dignity of the moral personality of about two billion Muslims not sacred and respected?!
Second: It is not appropriate for this great nation, the nation of response, to be content with mere condemnation and denunciation, but rather it must take practical steps, each according to its responsibility and ability according to the logic of wisdom, and the following effective means: -
1- Exerting more efforts to publicize Islam, its truths, mercy, justice, and the happiness it brings to all humanity.
This is the duty of all those who can do so, from governments, institutions, and in all international and local languages, in implementation of the Almighty’s saying:” Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists. Indeed, we are sufficient for you against the mockers”. Al-Hijr: 94/95.
Conveying the message through clear verses and practical applications- by explaining the scientific, social, economic and human miracles of the Qur'an, and the beauty of the fragrant Prophet's biography - is the duty of time for the entire nation.
Those gathered believe that this duty has not been completed in the required manner, and therefore the nation must communicate the truths of Islam (the Qur’an and Sunnah) to the whole world by all available means, and this calls for revitalizing the role of translation, establishing strong centers in various languages to introduce Islam, and effective communication with international media, as well as arranging academic chairs in various international universities, to introduce Islam, and benefit from (social media) to achieve this great goal, as the Almighty said: “ O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message” Al-Maida: 67
Undoubtedly, the role of scholars, advocates and wise men in this field is required more, and the need for it is greater.
2- Inviting the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to convene a conference on these insults towards our sanctities, to find effective tools preventing their recurrence.
3- Calling Islamic governments to take the following measures: -
- A- Holding a meeting between Islamic governments, or the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Western governments that allow insulting our sanctities, to explain the dangers and effects resulting from them.
- B- Invite the United Nations to take an appropriate decision, given that these insults towards the sanctities of Muslims threaten international peace and constructive cooperation, in order to reach an international pact to prevent contempt for religions.
- C- Taking practical steps from Islamic governments and Muslim peoples for a just boycott: diplomatic and economic.
- Among the justices of Islam is that whoever does not support insults is not included in the boycott.
- D- Investing in international, economic, and political relations to introduce Islam, its mercy and justice, the greatness of the Holy Qur’an, and the fragrant biography of the Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, and take this as a strategic goal for Islamic countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
- E - Allow peaceful, civilized demonstrations in front of embassies and relevant authorities.
Third: Calling all Muslim parliamentarians to take effective action towards the parliaments of the world and free parliamentarians to achieve an agreement or a law that prohibits defamation of religions, and to show that what befalls Muslims is great injustice and severe harm, aiming to gain the largest parliamentary base in the world to support our just causes.
Fourth: Calling on jurists, legal scholars, and lawyers to work diligently to serve and protect our sanctities by resorting to international justice. International and regional courts to criminalize insulting sanctities and impose penalties on perpetrators.
Fifth: Calling on the Muslim minority in Europe and elsewhere to work diligently, planned and programmed to defend their legitimate rights, and protect their Islamic sanctities through peaceful demonstrations, resorting to the judiciary, and communicating with all components of the state in it, especially human rights organizations, parliaments, cooperating churches, active personalities, and interacting with their issues.
Sixth: Call on the United Nations to convene an urgent meeting to issue a global charter to prevent contempt for religions, and criminalize insulting sanctities, as it is a moral harm to their owners, a violation of international peace and security, and a motive towards terrorism (in fact, it is terrorism), and leads to hatred and racism.
Seventh: Calling on our Islamic nation to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque (our first Qibla) and Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and to liberate all occupied lands, by all legitimate means, including the right of resistance against the occupiers, which is guaranteed by divine laws and international covenants, and that this is a legal obligation, national and human necessity, especially in the face of the crimes committed by the occupiers and settlers against the Palestinian people and their sanctities.
Eighth: The Global Forum strongly denounces the accusations and irresponsible words directed against some mothers of the believers, the family of the Prophet, (may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family), and the honorable companions, because they contradict the reality of Islam and contradict its legal texts. They also lead to more fragmentation and division of the nation, and the rooting of hateful sectarianism that destroys the country and its people.
Ninth: The Global Forum calls on its entire Islamic nation to constructive cooperation, integration, true unity, and comprehensive reconciliation among all components of the nation - leaders, peoples, movements, and parties - based on mutual rights, disciplined freedom, and respect for the people's will.
Undoubtedly, our strength is in our unity, and our failure is realized in our quarrels and divisions. The Most High said: “And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” Al-Anfal: 46
And the Almighty said: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided”. Al-Imran: 103,
Finally, it was decided to activate these decisions to form a follow-up committee made up of union representatives and participants.
In conclusion, the Global Forum extends its thanks and appreciation to - Turkey's president, government, and people - for providing us with this opportunity, facilitating the meeting.
The global meeting also extends its thanks to all Islamic countries and institutions that have had honorable stances towards our sanctities, and thanks are extended to everyone who contributed to this meeting by attending, or participating via Zoom, or by preparing it, as well as to all the media that were patient with us and reported the entire meeting, or its conclusion.
We can only offer our sincere thanks to the "Umad" association and its endowment for hosting us, so everyone was well rewarded.
And our last prayer is that praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and may God’s blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad and his family and companions.
Global Forum for the Protection of Sanctuaries
Istanbul, Muharram 1st 1445 AH, 7/23/2023