Iran’s Awqaf Chief Criticizes Al-Azhar Stance on War
As the US-Israeli aggression, which has killed hundreds of innocent Iranians, continues, Al-Ahzar has recently issued a statement in which it has condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on US bases in the region.
Hojat-ol-Islam Seyed Mehdi Khamoushi, Iran’s Awqaf chief, in a statement regretted that Al-Azhar did not distinguish between the aggressive tyrant and the powerful oppressed.
Following is Hojat-ol-Islam Khamoushi’s statement:
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
The recent statement by the religious institution of Al-Azhar condemning the defensive measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran has deeply saddened and affected the religious community, scholars, and intellectuals of the Islamic world. Al-Azhar, which was once a center of awakening and a cry against colonialism, is now in a position where it does not distinguish between the “aggressive tyrant” and the “powerful oppressed”. As the custodian of the holy endowments and relics, I would like to make a few points about this statement from the perspective of protecting the sanctity of Islam and the rights of the Ummah:
1. Ignoring the obligation of defense:
In the political jurisprudence of Islam, preserving the essence and the central core of Muslim power is an obligation. After the blatant aggression of the Zionist regime and the criminal America against its territory and the unjust martyrdom of the wise Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran exercised its religious and legal right to defend itself, in accordance with the explicit text of the Holy Quran (So whoever attacks you, attack him in the same way as he attacked you). Al-Azhar’s disregard of this right to defend itself is contrary to the established principles of jurisprudence regarding defensive jihad.
2. The prohibition of aiding the sin and permitting the bases of the aggressors:
Islamic lands are a divine endowment for the honor of Muslims, not a base for the landing of drones and the launching of infidel war missiles against Muslim countries. From a jurisprudential perspective, any country that places its territory and resources at the disposal of the enemy (America and Zionism) to take action against another Muslim country commits “aiding sin and aggression” and, according to the rules of “terror” and “legitimate defense,” the military bases in that territory no longer have religious sanctity and are considered legitimate targets. Instead of condemning Iran, Al-Azhar should call on the governments hosting the aggressor to repent and expel the foreigners.
3. Conflict with the spirit of unity and rapprochement of religions:
Al-Azhar, which itself was once a standard-bearer of rapprochement of religions, has hurt the hearts of the followers of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) and the free people of the world with this unilateral stance. Silence in the face of the martyrdom of a great authority and Leader of the Islamic world by US state terrorism and, in return, condemning Iran’s honorable response, is miles away from the policy of “seeking justice” and “a united Ummah,” which is the great ideal of the Waqifs, Mujahideen, and all free scholars of history.
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4. Calling for a return to Islamic honor:
We expect the scholars of Al-Azhar not to be influenced by political pressures and dollars from affiliates (of the enemies). The scientific legacy of Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout and the great reformers of Egypt was resistance to infidelity, not legitimizing the presence of American bases in the region.
The Awqaf and Charity Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while renewing its covenant with the ideals of the Imams of the Revolution and the martyrs of the Path of Quds, emphasizes that defending the sanctity of Iran’s sovereignty and pure soil is rooted in deep jurisprudential and Quranic beliefs, and no statement can tarnish the legitimacy of the path of resistance against global arrogance.
Seyed Mehdi Khamoushi
Head of the Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization
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