Echorouk's Forum : Islamic figures in Algeria urge rulers to defend the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH)

Islamic figures called Wednesday for establishing an Arab international convention or treaty to criminalise Abuse of Islamic sanctities.

Head of Muslim scholars urges to reinforce religion classes

The head of Muslim Scholar Association, Sheikh Abderrahmane Chibane, who opened Echorouk’s forum Wednsday, said Muslims must be attached to their religion in order to reach glory.

He called on education, vocational training and superior education sectors to support religious classes and present useful programmes to be as a “vaccine” for Algerian youth.

Sheikh Abderrahmane Chibane urged Muslim officials and rulers to have an official position and boycott diplomatic and economic relations with all countries which offended the Prophet Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him) and Islam.

“The success of this Nation (Muslim nation) lies in its strength and union. Echorouk’s froum is the first step in this with God willing,” he added.

According to Sheikh Chaibane, the holly Quran says Muslims will regain their dignity not only by practicing Islam but also by unity.

The submission of the Islamic nation is due to its weak leaders. “We have not been granted by leaders who care for their people,” he said.

“Our problem is that we are scattered and it will not be solved only by honest leaders.”

“When will Muslims have honest rulers?” he wondered.

Islamic history researcher: “We have to vaccinate our children”

Doctor Hadi Hassani, a researcher in Islamic history, said Muslims gave a bad image on Islam and push the others to offend it and the Prophet Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him).

“It is necessary now to mentally and religiously vaccinate our children from diseases and scourges,” he said.

According to Hadi Hassani, the West is afraid that they would destroy their religion because the non-religious nature did not meet the Human mankind’s questions.

“The West is also afraid that simple westerners would know Islam and discover its values,” he added.

“Elite Caravan”

Algerian religious affairs ministry had suggested launching an “elite caravan” which includes intellectuals, experts and preachers in different fields to travel around Algeria’s 48 provinces, according to the ministry’s representative, Mohamed Aissa.

“The caravan will focus in each province on the main problem there and try to overcome it by reinforcing religious values,” Mohamed Aissa said.

He added that the ministry considers the publication of a booklet for junior high schools untitled ‘Know Your Prophet’ to protect schoolboys and schoolgirls from evangelisation.

According to him, Algeria expressed its dissatisfaction with the Abuse of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

“Blasphemous cartoons of the Prophet ( Peace Be Upon Him) are not the only face of the war on Islam and its symbols,” he said.

“The invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Sudan are considered as weapons against Islam.”

Arab Europeans must sue offenders

At Echorouk’s forum, president of the international campaign to defend Sami El-Haj, Fouzi Oussedik said the Arab League and Muslim governments are required to play a legal role by setting up a legal convention to defend Muslims’ principles.

“We are proud of our religion, Prophet and beliefs,” he said.

Fouzi Oussedik called on all Europeans of Arab orgins to bring a lawsuit against governments and media which are for the blasphemous cartoons.

“Those cartoons may spark a civilisation clash causing a lot of tragedies,” he said.

He urged all Arab and Islamic organisations to move and push the United Nations to promulgate new laws to punish any abuse of religion.

On the other hand, he mentioned that dozens of Europeans converted to Islam after they had known the Prophet’s real personality.

Echorouk newspaper allocates a page to defend the Prophet (PBUH)

For his part, Echorouk’s publisher, Ali Fodil said the newspaper is going to defend the Prophet Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him) through articles written by specialists in Islamic thought.

“Echorouk newspaper will do its best to defend the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

“Those cartoons are unimportant and without any artistic creativity”

Echorouk’s cartoonist Baki Boukhalfa said the blasphemous cartoons of the Prophet are no more than artistic futilities with any creativity.

“Those cartoons are full of racism and hatred,” he said.

According to Baki Boukhalfa, the image plays a tremendous role in media war.

“Excuses which were given by the West to re-publish the blasphemous cartoons are no more than a lie and a pretext for liberty of expression.”