Fareed Ahmad is the former President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for Devon and Cornwall and the National Secretary External Affairs for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.

Source: plymouthherald.co.uk

Had the killers truly studied Islam they would have known that the Holy Quran condemns murder and states that “whosoever killed a person… it shall be as if he killed all of mankind” (Chapter 5, Verse 33).

It is said that the killers sought to justify their actions by saying that they had avenged the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), but nothing could be further from the truth. While the company had in the past published irreverent cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that were offensive to many Muslims and many people of faith, such offence offers absolutely no justification for violence.

On the contrary, the holy founder of Islam provided an excellent example of patience and fortitude in the face of extreme provocation. He was subjected to ridicule, abuse and violence but not even once did he call for the harming of anyone in response. The Prophet’s reaction was to respond instead with dignity and he worked tirelessly to improve the life of all.

Through love and affection he created a society where all faiths were honoured and sensitivities respected. That was the supreme response to such insults and derision.

Clearly the killers in France failed to grasp the wisdom and import of the Prophet’s example and teachings that emphasised prayer, respect and the sanctity of life… read more at