PRESS RELEASE

29.12.2008

The Presidency of Religious Affairs feels that at this time it is inevitable to make a statement regarding the consequences of the Israeli air strikes and missile attacks that were carried out during the last week of 2008 on the Gaza Strip, part of the Palestinian territory; these actions have been the cause of great bloodshed, as well as the source of infinite pain and sorrow.

When we look at events in the last century in order to gain lessons from the past, the irresponsible actions of states and those who sought conflict or other ulterior motives, we see that such acts have only produced violence and war which in turn have engendered the encouragement of terror and deepened the hatred and animosity in the hearts of people. All these have paved the way for continuous wars, violence and chaos all over the world. Particularly during the last century, when coup d’etats, military interventions, invasions, violence and violations of human rights in the Middle East and the Muslim World, which are strategically important for the developed countries, combined with the region’s economics, social, political and cultural factors, the global public opinion around the world may realize how these critical factors foster feelings of resentment and hatred, as well as planting the seeds of hostility and contributing to the disorganization and disruption of social life and common sense.

This dreadful attack on Gazza, causing the deaths and injuries of hundreds of people, among whom are elderly, children, invalids, and women; as well as they causing to damage to houses and businesses, made each conscientious person who has common sense, regardless of what religion or faith tradition he or she comes from, feeling of shame and embarrassment in the name of humanity.

The strategic plan behind this recent development that is happening before the world, considered by some people simply as a “Clash of Religion and Civilization,” which is neither a valid point nor a prediction, but the whole plan is to be taken as an insidious move that aims to spread the conflict to a wider ground and disrupt peace in the region.

Again, to describe this conflict merely as a war between religions and civilizations does not correspond to the actual situation. This event and others like it are a callous and unjust show of force which all religions regard as immoral. The entire world is closely observing, taking lessons from a nation that in the past was subjected to cruelty, pain, and violence only to now inflict the same on others. This recent development serves as nothing but a means to reinforce instability throughout the entire region and to instill a hatred, rage, disgust and violence that will remain over the years in future generations. Above all, such acts are a blow to any of the efforts that have been made to establish a peace in which so much has been invested over the years.

These acts are not only a crime committed against humanity that has turned the world into an unbearable place to live, a place of tyranny, violence, and malice; such acts go against divine revelation and are opposed to the mercy and compassion of all the prophets. All the divine religions contain a common call and message to humanity; all the sacred books are opposed to every kind of injustice, no matter from where or by whom they are committed. It is a religious mandate that the victims and oppressed be supported, regardless of their gender, race, language or religion. In this, all religious institutions and their leaders have come face to face with a severe test today. It is not enough to merely condemn these tragic developments. It is not only a religious, but also a moral and humanist duty and mission to develop humane sensitivity and to raise our voices against violence, cruelty and depravity, and to work to establish order and peace both at home and around the world.

It is an obligation of humanity to help the sick and elderly; we cannot merely remain spectators to the human tragedy that is occurring in Palestine. Moreover, these attacks must be condemned and those who perpetrate such crimes, violence and hatred must be identified and denounced. The fundamental duty of the international community and that of responsible statesmen of countries - including Islamic countries - that have economic power and influence at the international level is to prevent war, violence and the use of unbalanced force and to make the international mechanisms work.

Such attacks and acts of violence must be brought to an end immediately; such acts can only lead to innocent civilian deaths and must be considered as a crime against civilians. Such acts are in contravention of international agreements and law, opposed to basic human values and the shared teachings of all world religions. It is hoped that a free and civilized world will take a stance and act against such tragic and dangerous developments; it is hoped that all humanitarian aid will reach the region effectively before it is too late.

We have made this declaration to the public with respect.

The Presidency of Religious Affairs