A leading figure of the Sunni sect of Islam in Egypt has called on Muslims to maintain “peace” and show “patience and wisdom” while reacting over anti-Islam actions across the world.
Speaking to CNN amid continuing protests across the Muslim world against Innocence of Muslims — an anti-Islam film — and a French satirical magazine’s cartoons, Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa made the appeal.
He called for fellow believers to respond to recent controversial portrayals of Prophet Mohammad — which he said “spread hatred” — just like the Prophet himself would, “through patience and wisdom”. Expressing bewilderment at Innocence of Muslims not being declared illegal under anti-hatred laws of the U.S., he said clashes would not be the right response, RIA Novosti reported.
“We live together and must respect our neighbours”. Mass demonstrations over the film broke out in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan and other predominantly Muslim countries. The film triggered protests that caused an attack in Libya on the U.S. consulate, leaving ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others Americans dead.
