Wealthy Muslims Ought to Stop Investing Their Money in Countries that Manufacture Weapons Used to Kill One Another
He called for supporting Palestine and Gaza, affirming their right to self-determination and to declare an independent state with Al-Quds Ash-Sharif as its capital
His Eminence Prof. Abbas Shouman, President of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates and Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, emphasized the urgent need to restore the mosque’s historical role, as it functioned in the early days of Islam and during subsequent eras of Islamic flourishing. He pointed out that the mosque was not merely a place of worship, but a house of consultation (Shura), a center for planning the future of Islam and defending its causes, and a forum for guiding and reforming societal behavior.
This was stated during His Eminence’s address at the opening of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs Conference in Jakarta, entitled: ‘The International Grand Imams, Masjid Harmony, Religious Diplomacy, and Global Peace.’
Furthermore, His Eminence added: “In an era where what is said inside mosques transcends their walls—and even national borders—thanks to advances in communication, and at a time when the issues facing Islam and Muslims have become deeply intertwined and complex, the role of the mosque has become pivotal. The burden on preachers is heavy, and carrying out these responsibilities requires tremendous effort.”
In his address, Prof. Shouman also directed several key messages, the first of which was to preachers and imams: “You must adopt a moderate and balanced discourse—one that unites rather than divides, and that respects the culture of others even if you do not share their beliefs, while remaining proud of your Islamic heritage and tolerant Shariah. Remind people of the fundamental principles of our faith, including respect for human diversity and plurality, and that the true measure of merit is moral integrity and adherence to the right path: ‘O mankind! We have indeed created you from a male and a female and made you nations and tribes that you may come to know one another. Truly the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most Allah-fearing among you. Truly Allah is Knower, Aware.'” [Q. 49:13] If Allah had willed, this diversity would not have existed among people: “Had your Lord willed, He would have made mankind one community, but they continue to differ, except those on whom your Lord has mercy; and that is why He created them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled: I will surely fill Hell with jinn and mankind together.” [Q. 11:118,119]
Moreover, His Eminence stated, “Diversity and plurality are Allah’s law in creation; embrace them, and call upon people to coexist peacefully in their light.”
The second message was addressed by the President of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates to all Muslims and their leaders, saying: ‘You are all aware of the threats facing our Islamic world, and that what our world is currently undergoing is entirely unprecedented. Only Allah knows how far it may lead, and no one can claim to be immune to its dangers. Therefore, the time has come to achieve an integrative unity among our nations—a unity that does not imply a single ruler, shared borders, or blending the wealth of the rich with that of the poor, but rather a unity of purpose and destiny, a unity of decision-making in confronting challenges and dangers, and a unity of economic integration and mutual exchange among our countries.’
His Eminence noted that every state has something it needs from another state, and possesses a surplus that other states urgently need; through integrative unity, balance is achieved without any state losing anything; what one gives to another, it receives back in return, in the form of what it needs more than it needs the surplus it possesses. He added: “always remember that this unity is neither a luxury nor an option, but the execution of a binding divine command”. Allah Almighty says: “Truly this is your community, one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me” [Q. 21:92] and “Verily this your community is one community and I am your Lord, so fear Me” [Q. 23:52]. If you do this, you will have discharged your duty and fulfilled Allah’s will for you, and you will have restored your strength and cohesion and your enemy will be kept at bay from you. If you do not, the near-term consequences will be dire.
Prof. Shouman then directed his third message to the wealthy of our nations, saying: “redirect your investments to within our own countries and stop investing them in lands that openly show hostility toward us, where weapons are manufactured and sold to us so that we kill one another with them, and if those countries are angered with you, they will freeze or confiscate your funds”.
As for the fourth message, His Eminence directed it to those who differ from us in religion, saying: know that our religion commands us to treat you kindly and to live in peace with you as long as you do not fight us; Allah Almighty says: “Allah does not forbid you in regard to those who did not wage war against you on account of religion and did not expel you from your homes, that you should treat them kindly and deal with them justly. Assuredly Allah loves the just” [Q. 60:8]. Islam also commands us to make peace with you and not to assault you as long as you do not assault us; “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it, and rely on Allah; truly He is the Hearer, the Knower” [Q. 8:61]. However, keep in mind also that although we are a nation of peace, we do not beg for it from those who reject it: “So do not falter, and [do not] call for peace when you have the upper hand, and Allah is with you, and He will not stint you in [the reward for] your works” [Q.47:35].
The Organization’s President further clarified that peace with those who are peaceable is an obligation that must be carried out. However, as for whoever rejects it and insists on assaulting us, Allah Almighty has commanded us to prepare the means of strength that will deter them from attacking us, so that we are not driven to respond, and thus security and peace may prevail among us: “Make ready for them whatever force you can and of horses tethered that thereby you may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides them, whom you know not: Allah knows them” [Q. 8:60]. He stressed that possessing strength is the path to peace and its guardian; a strong state is the one that no one considers attacking, whereas it is weak states that are targeted.
His Eminence said: “O you who show hostility toward our nations and covet our wealth and our land, know that force has never settled any matter throughout human history and that dialogue and mutual understanding are far more effective. So come to common terms between us and you, that we may live and you may live in security and peace, and that the expenditures of war and destruction may instead be directed toward construction, development, and the achievement of stability among peoples.” He also appealed to multi-faith nations, saying: “benefit from al-Azhar’s moderate approach and from how it engages with the other; you have been following the tours of the Grand Imam to the Vatican, the German Bundestag and Canterbury Cathedral, as well as his dialogues with the World Council of Churches, the East–West dialogues and the conferences in the Kingdom of Bahrain attended by both the Grand Imam and the Pope of the Vatican. Benefit as well from his unique and unparalleled experience embodied in the “Egyptian Family House,” through which sectarian strife was eliminated and became a forgotten chapter of history”.
Prof. Abbas Shouman concluded his address by calling for a declaration of our support for our brothers and sisters in dignified Palestine and Gaza and for their right to self-determination and to the declaration of their independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital.
