MAKKAH – Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohammed Aal Taleb, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque, Friday urged that laws be passed to prevent incitement of religious hatred. “We call on the world... to enact a code of honor and binding law to prohibit and criminalize any violation of monotheistic religions and prophets,” Sheikh Saleh said in his Friday sermon. “Let the politicians and policy makers know that the people express uncontrolled reactions when sacred symbols are humiliated,” he said, urging “the wise” in the West to “prevent those who ignite fires.” “We advocate dialogue, understanding and tolerance, but it will be in vain if we continue to perpetuate hatred... against Islam, the Prophet and the Muslims.” Sheikh Saleh also criticized violent protests by Muslims against the low-budget anti-Islam film produced in the United States, “Innocence of Muslims,” which have left dozens of people dead. “Muslims must show their kindness in their reactions; it is not kindness to kill innocent people and destroy property,” he said, advising them to “raise awareness of the Prophet using social networks” on the Internet. “Muslims must realize that they do not need fresh incidents to hinder the progress of Islam.” He also criticised the satirical French weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo for publishing the obscene cartoons.“Since when did freedom of expression mean aggression without limits or restrictions?” he asked, adding: “Why is this freedom of expression not referred to when it comes to denying the Holocaust?” – Agencies
