The Muslim Bloggers Alliance (”MBA”) rejects and utterly condemns all manifestations of anti-Islamic sentiments, xenophobia and racist expressions. These include Geert Wilders’ recently screened Islamophobic movie, Fitna (Discord), on the Internet. MBA recognizes the value of freedom of expression but such freedom should not be utilized as a facade for a broader ulterior, xenophobic and bigoted motive.
If an objective assessment of Islam is required, MBA can do no better than to reiterate the words of the late Pope John Paul II, who many Muslims hold in great esteem:
“We Christians joyfully recognize the religious values we have in common with Islam. Today I would like to repeat what I said to young Muslims some years ago in Casablanca: “We believe in the same God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings his creatures to their perfection”
Islam is a religion of peace. Nevertheless, MBA notes with concern that there is a systemic and coordinated effort at antagonizing Muslims and injuring Islam by disseminating material or adopting political measures that are injurious to Islam and Muslims.
Fitna is merely but one in a chain of such events. Other examples include the publication of the cartoons in the Danish papers as well as the political machinations of politicians such as Filip Dewinter and Christoph Blocher — both of whom are critical of the building of minarets on mosques.
Ultimately, MBA is cognizant that the solution against extremist acts is not committing more extreme acts. What is required is a firm and steady commitment towards a more moderate and progressive course of action. In light of the same, MBA calls upon leaders of the world particularly those in Europe:
- to embrace plurality;
- to affirm the right to equality;
- to assure the right to manifest one’s faith; and
- to embrace the progressiveness of their laws so as to succor Islam and its adherents.
We also call upon all our members, as well as Muslim ummah in Malaysia and all over the world, to initiate a boycott of Dutch products as a symbol of our dissatisfaction at the insulting nature of Geert Wilders’ video, as well as pressuring the Dutch government to force Wilders to resign from his post as Member of Dutch Parliament.
MOHD ELFIE NIESHAEM JUFERI
Secretary-General (Pro-tem),
Muslim Bloggers Alliance