https://arab.news/guv4p
- March 15 marks first anniversary of deadly assault by a white supremacist on two mosques
- Gamal Fouda says tolerance, understanding and dialogue are key to communicating with people of all backgrounds
DUBAI: 鈥淩eligions can bring peace to the world 鈥� if we find the correct representatives of these religions.鈥�
This was the message of Sheikh Gamal Fouda, imam of Al-Noor mosque in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, the target of a terror attack one year ago on Sunday.
The shootings at the mosque as well as the nearby Linwood Islamic Center on March 15, 2019, left 51 people dead and 49 wounded.
At the World Tolerance Summit in Dubai in November, Fouda recalled the moment he first saw the alleged gunman who opened fire on worshippers at the two mosques during Friday prayers.
鈥淲hat happened was a horrific thing that I saw with my own eyes,鈥� Fouda said.
鈥淎 man full of rage and anger came into our mosque, carrying weapons, directing them at the first person he met at the door.鈥�
Fouda described the attacker as a 鈥渂rainwashed鈥� man who was 鈥渇ull of hatred.鈥�
He recalled scenes of worshippers falling to the ground as they were gunned down by the attacker, who ironically was greeted with the words 鈥渉ello, brother鈥� at the mosque entrance.
鈥淭hat is tolerance and that is what Islam is 鈥� when a person who is coming to kill people is greeted by the person standing in the front door,鈥� said Fouda.
Calling on political leaders to lead by example, and embrace the diverse cultures and faiths of the world, Fouda praised New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for showing solidarity with the small immigrant community in Christchurch after what she called one of the country鈥檚 鈥渄arkest days.鈥�
鈥業f you are Muslim, I would like you to visit a non-Muslim today and say to her or him, I love you because this is my religion.鈥�
The imam described Ardern鈥檚 address to the crowd 鈥� 鈥淣ew Zealand mourns with you, we are one鈥� 鈥� as a message of inspiration to fellow leaders around the world.
Ardern received global praise for her gesture of solidarity. The New Zealand leader wore a headscarf during the memorial service that was followed by a call to prayer and a two-minute silence 鈥� events that were broadcast on national television.
Her example was followed by many women in New Zealand, who posted images on social media of themselves wearing headscarves and using the hashtags #HeadscarfForHarmony and #ScarvesInSolidarity.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what political leaders need to do 鈥� they have the power and can move things, they have the magic and they can change the scenario,鈥� Fouda told the Dubai forum.
In his view, the tragic events of a year ago underscored the importance of 鈥渢olerance, understanding and dialogue,鈥� which he believes are the basis of communicating with people of all backgrounds.
He said that too often Islam is misunderstood as a religion of 鈥渧iolence and extreme thoughts.鈥�
Fouda said that misinterpretations of the religion in the West are the result of language barriers. 鈥淪ometimes those who introduce Islam don鈥檛 have the correct term (or language) to explain what Islam is.鈥�
One example is found in some Islamic books, where 鈥渏ihad鈥� is referred to as 鈥渉oly war.鈥�
鈥淭his is totally incorrect. There is no holy war in Islam. All wars are unholy,鈥� he said.
He suggested that 鈥減eace education鈥� be introduced in primary schools to instil values such as tolerance in children from an early age age.
Fouda concluded his address on an inspirational note, saying: 鈥淚f you are Muslim, I would like you to visit a non-Muslim today and say to her or him I love you because this is my religion.鈥�
He added: 鈥淎nd if you are a non-Muslim, I would also like you to go back to your country and visit an Islamic center and tell them that you love them and are ready to start a project with them. Do something human.鈥�