2024-09-02 16:35:22
The World Council of Imams issued an official statement expressing its deep condemnation of the barbaric actions of the Hamas terrorist organization, which led to the brutal execution of six hostages, including American-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. These tragic events took place in a tunnel in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip.
The Council noted that such acts of brutality violate all principles of humanity, religious teachings and international law. It particularly emphasizes that attacks on civilians who are helpless and held against their will are an outrageous manifestation of evil that violates the laws of all major religious traditions, including Islam. The statement points out that Islam strictly prohibits harming the innocent and these actions by Hamas are contrary to the basic provisions of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention.
The council also stated that Hamas bears full responsibility for the death and suffering of all innocent people killed since October 7, stressing that the tactic of using civilians as human shields only perpetuates the cycle of violence and destroys hopes for justice and peace. The statement also mentioned Iran, which the council believes shares responsibility for these tragedies by supporting Hamas’ actions and contributing to continued violence and instability in the region.
The World Council of Imams expressed support for all victims of the conflict, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or religion, and conveyed its deep condolences to the families of the victims. The Council called on the international community and all religious leaders to unite against these terrorist acts, working for peace, justice and respect for all human life.
The statement was released by the Najaf Islamic Seminary in Iraq.
Earlier, Cursor reported on how Arab social networks reacted to the killing of hostages.