"Be persistent and compete in endurance". Statement of the Council of Muftis of Russia

A week ago, the entire world commemorated the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which killed thousands of innocent people of different nationalities and followers of different religions. It is sad that there are persons, who attempted again to benefit from the feelings of millions of believers, by using that tragic date, to demonstrate their hatred not only to Muslims, who had been the main target of the deliberately planned provocation, but also to the entire humanity and to the peace on the earth.

The actions of making the film that hurts feelings of believers deserve condemnation and suppression of the authorities and all the involved parties, starting from actors and ending with the promotion channels.

These actions are intended to distract Muslims from creativity, and to distract the public from really important problems.

We urge Muslims not to yield to provocations and to show by their own example the true image of Islam. After all, we know from the life of our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah pray on him and grant him peace), insults and accusations had not prevented him from being a model of supreme moral, firmness and compassion.

We believe that the actions of mentally ill persons - such is the man finding himself entitled to insult the feelings of millions of believers - cannot and shall not be taken seriously. However, in this case, this person is, regardless of whether he is aware of it or not, most likely used to shelter the pre-planned actions, including murders, committed not by the hands of practising Muslims.

The people, who have deeply studied the personality of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah pray on him and grant him peace), know that he was not only the Prophet and Messenger of Allah, but also one of the most prominent figures, known in the history of the mankind, who has taken the first place in the list of persons, who changed the world, and about whom Montgomery wrote: "As a leader, he had a well-balanced and sustainable character. He highly appreciated people and respected them. His success is a proof of his greatness. The greatness of his personality ensures the success of his activities. Possible charges of quackery would be not way out, but hopelessness. The West knows no other person that reached such a dignity." ("Muhammad at Mass", Oxford, 1953, p. 52.)

The people, who want to learn and know the true teachings of Islam, which consists in surrendering to Allah without any conditions, except one - the condition of unlimited grateful love for Him and a willingness to serve Him as their absolute Lord, will not watch low-quality films made by the director with dingy reputation; however, they will open the teaching of the Holy Quran and read its verses.

The Holy Quran says: "And even if We had sent down to you a written scripture on a page and they touched it with their hands, the disbelievers would say: 'This is not but obvious magic.'." (Quran 6:7).

We would like to remind you that Islam came with peace and calls on not to respond to provocations, and we need to work and interact for the benefit of peace and harmony in our society. "O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful!" (Quran, 3:200) read the verses of the Quran, which transmit the covenant to all believers.

The Muslims of Russia, like believers all over the world, have many tasks, to realize which we are called by the Almighty Creator.

We need to take the best practices of the past and present and implement in life the new projects for the benefit of faith and society.

September 18, 2012