(WASHINGTON, DC) – Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Shaikh Abdulaziz Al-AsShaikh, who is also Chairman of the Council of Senior Ulema (religious scholars) and the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, Saturday, September 15, 2012, denounced attacks on diplomats and embassies as un-Islamic and stressed that the best way to stand by the Prophet (peace be upon him) is to follow his Sunnah (teachings), spread his virtues and the values of Islam.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Grand Mufti said that the deplorable and criminal attempt to circulate a film insulting the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not affect the Prophet or Islam, as Allah the Almighty said in the Holy Qur’an: “For he who hates you, he will be cut off (from posterity and every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter)." [Surat Al-Kauthar 108:3]

Sheikh Al-AsShaikh emphasized that condemning this criminal attempt should be in accordance with the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet's Sunnah, saying that Muslims should not let their anger lead them to kill innocent people and attack public facilities. If Muslims surrender to anger, they will achieve the objectives of those who are behind producing this offensive film.

Sheikh Al-AsShaikh appealed to all countries and international organizations to criminalize acts ridiculing all prophets and messengers of God.

Full Arabic text of his Eminence's statement.