In July 2009, Al-Azhar Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, who passed away March 10, 2010, issued a response to U.S. President Barack Obama's speech the previous month in Cairo. Tantawi praised Obama's initiative to turn over a new leaf in America's relations with the Muslims, supported his call to the Palestinians to abandon the path of violence, and encouraged Obama to promote the cause of an independent Palestinian state. He also endorsed Obama's call for cooperation and dialogue and for halting the nuclear arms race, and urged punishment for extremists who kill innocent people. He also called for promoting the rights of minorities and of women, and for defending freedom of religion.
Following are excerpts from his response, published in a special issue of the Egyptian monthly Magalat Al-Azhar:[1]
The Muslims Support Dialogue and Cooperation Among Civilizations
On Obama's initiative to turn over a new leaf in the relations with the Muslim world, Tantawi said: "Cairo welcomes you, [Barack Obama]... All human beings are brothers and must get to know each other, be honest with each other, share Allah's blessings with each other, and cooperate with each other [in a spirit of] decency and piety, [instead of living in a spirit of] sin and aggression... Dialogue is the best way to serve the good of all... As Muslims, we support cooperation and solidarity among civilizations..."
The Tension Between Islam and the West Is No Excuse for Murder
In response to Obama's statement that Islam and the West have known many centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but have also known tensions that have been exploited by extremists to harm civilians, Tantawi pointed out that Al-Azhar was among the first to condemn the 9/11 attacks, and added, "Whatever the cause [of the tension between Islam and the West], it is religiously, rationally, legally and morally forbidden to use it as an excuse to murder men, women and youngsters... The shari'a comes out forcefully against any form of extremism, and commands all who follow it, and the entire public, to help one another and cooperate in spreading peace and security throughout human society..." Tantawi said that the extremists and terrorists must be warned that their fate will be bitter, and that if they fail to heed the warning they must be given a fair trial and a deterring punishment.
Freedom of Worship and Women's Right to Wear the Veil Must Be Upheld
Tantawi praised Obama's statements on the freedom of worship in the U.S., saying: "All countries must respect freedom of worship, because places of worship like mosques, churches and other [temples] exist so that [people] can worship, cleanse their souls and learn moral virtues like honesty and compassion... The existence of over 1,200 mosques in the U.S. is a sign of [America's] correct understanding, proper conduct and commitment to this right and to respecting [various forms of] religious worship. As long as worshipers do not exploit [freedom of worship] to break the law, express reprehensible opinions, or commit reprehensible acts, we commend them [on their piety]; but if they do exploit it to sow destruction, instigate strife and undermine state security, they must be prosecuted and kept away from the places of worship..."
Tantawi added, "It is paramount to defend the right of Muslim girls and women to wear the hijab, and punish those who dare to deny them this right, because [wearing] the hijab is mandated by the Islamic shari'a..." He called for global cooperation in guaranteeing equal rights and duties for all, and in fighting discrimination, saying, "The Islamic shari'a [treats] men and women as equal because they are of the same origin." This equality, he explains, is manifest in their similar religious duties of prayer, fasting and pilgrimage; in their right to education and property; and in their right to choose their spouses freely, among other things.
About the rights of minorities, he wrote: "The shari'a mandates justice and equality among all members of a nation, regardless of their religious beliefs, origin or race... A citizen of a particular country [must be] equal in rights and duties to all other citizens. For example, all Egyptian citizens have equal rights and duties, whether they are Muslim, Christian or other..." Tantawi stressed that Islam recognizes freedom of religion, and recognizes that religious belief cannot be forced upon individuals.
Obama's Position on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is "Brave and Unbiased"
Turning to Obama's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which includes a call to the Palestinians to abandon violence, Tantawi described it as a brave, clear and objective stance which clarifies to each side what it must do and what it is entitled to receive. He endorsed Obama's call for a two-state solution and his statement that the responsibility of the Arab states does not end with the Arab peace initiative. He also agreed with Obama that many Arabs now realize that Israel will not go away, just as many Israelis realize the need for a Palestinian state, and added: "It is time that the U.S. and the rest of the world set out to help the Palestinians and enable them to receive their rights until they can establish their state – free, proud and respectable like the other states of the world..." This, he said, would serve the interests of both sides in the conflict, as well as the interests of the U.S. and of the world.
The Shari'a Permits Manufacturing or Purchasing Weapons Only for Self-Defense
Tantawi echoed Obama's call to halt the nuclear arms race, especially in the Middle East, saying: "We support the right of every country to possess nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We [also] support any country that calls for disarming all countries of nuclear weapons, [because these weapons] are destructive rather than constructive and are a tool for threatening and extorting other countries. The shari'a completely forbids manufacturing or buying weapons for any purpose except self-defense and the protection of one's homeland and property..."
Finally, Tantawi endorsed Obama's statements in favor of progress and technological development.
Endnote:
[1] Magalat Al-Azhar (Egypt), July 2009.
