The Grand Mufti of Syria, Dr. Ahmad Bader Eddin Hassoun, has blamed Western countries for promoting Islamic State terrorism and questioned the United States of America for its double standards towards Islamic countries. Speaking at a discussion on Monday, Hassoun said the world should not be confused in this regard as Syria is suffering in the name of religious fundamentalism despite the fact no religion preaches violence and killings. Hassoun was joined by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in denouncing violence in the name of religion.
Hassoun accused the Western countries and Saudi Arabia of creating conflict in Syria to corner its rich natural resources. He critised the heinous activities of the ISIl-ISIS, even called Daesh, terming their acts as unislamic. Questioning the US policy against terrorism, Hassoun said that while on one side Washington imposes sanctions on Iran for its capability to make nuclear weapons, it allows Pakistan to go scot free for having such huge number of nuclear arsenal. "They (US) believed Iran will give nuclear technology to other Islamic countries so bombed its site. Why no action against PakistanIJ" Hassoun said.
"Unfortunately we are facing religious war while religion has nothing to do with war. Terrorism in Syria and other parts are part of a larger political activity. What is the fault of Syria that a killer from a far away country comes to control us in the name of IslamIJ Who gives them weapons and money and who brings them to fight against nationsIJ" Hassoun said. The Mufti's son was killed by the ISIl terrorists and he too is under threat.
He mentioned Somalia too was a resource rich country but it has been demolished systematically by Western countries. "It is not a muslim versus muslim fight but a fight between advanced nation with others in order to take their wealth. Muslims to are victim. Those attacking humans are insulting God," he said while urging nations not to support fundamentalists and terrorists who carry out activities under the flag of religion.
Mufti's statement assumes greater significance in the context of India's war against terrorism and its effort to have a United Nations Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (UNCCIT). The Indian efforts to have a collective global strategy against terrorism is stuck in drafting process as some of the Islamic nations on the insistence of Pakistan, are still debating on the definition of terrorism and terrorists. These countries want UN to distinguished between terrorism and the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination.
On a question if failure of Governments and democratic values have given rise to radicalisation and violence, Hassoun said: "There is no Government or leader who will not make mistakes. But you do not kill them or spread violence. Vote out the Government but how can you kill your own citizens."
Adding to Mufti's concerns on use of religion as a tool to express violence and capture territories, Sri Sri Ravishankar said that the entire world has to condemn such violence. "Such huge number of refugees will break anyone's heart. Such violence in the name of religionIJ Which faith preaches killingsIJ" he said.
Ravishankar added that during his tour to Iraq he had made an open offer to ISIS-ISIl to sit for talks but all he got in return was threat to behead him. "I told them (Daesh) I want to meet you and understand your idealogy. They sent me a photograph of beheaded body saying they will talk to me in this state (beheaded). Now I will talk to them only when they are in jail. There should be strict action against such perpetrators of violence," Ravishankar said.