Al-Azhar Denounces Attack on Jewish Festival in Sydney
In a statement, Al-Azhar emphasized its firm position on the impermissibility of attacking civilians, regardless of their gender or beliefs, Misri Al-Youm reported.
The statement said this position stems from a deep understanding of the teachings of the Holy Quran and the pure tradition of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which prohibit the violation of human life in general.
Al-Azhar cited Verse 32 of Surah Al-Ma’idah of the Quran: “ For this reason, We made it a law for the children of Israel that the killing of a person for reasons other than legal retaliation or for stopping corruption in the land is as great a sin as murdering all of mankind,” and also noted that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) stood up in respect of the body of a Jew and attended his funeral.
Al-Azhar also praised the heroic move by Ahmed al-Ahmad, a young Muslim who did not hesitate to risk his life trying to disarm one of the attackers before he was shot twice.
The statement emphasized that this valuable human behavior demonstrates a deep understanding of the teachings of Islam, and emphasizes that despite some trying to distort the image of Muslims and spread false information, they are advocates of peace and love, not violence and hostility.
Two suspected shooters opened fire at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach during an annual celebration of the “Hanukkah” Jewish holiday organized at the beach on Sunday, killing 16 people and wounding multiple others in an attack that spread panic.
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Authorities said police fatally shot one gunman, and the second was arrested and is in critical condition.
Authorities said many more people would have been killed had it not been for a bystander, identified by local media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed Al-Ahmed, who was filmed charging the gunman from behind, grappling with him, and wresting the rifle from his hands.
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