Global campaign launched to better understand Prophet

Jeddah: A major global campaign with the aim of properly understanding Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and removing misgivings about Islam has been launched here recently.

The campaign was launched jointly by the Programme for Understanding the Prophet of Mercy, an offshoot of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) and the International Committee for Supporting the Last Prophet.

"As part of the campaign, an international conference to highlight the august personality of the Prophet of Mercy would soon be held in Europe," said Dr Abdullah Al Turki, secretary-general of the MWL, at a press conference here last week.

Denouncing the recent remarks of Pope Benedict XVI against the Prophet, Dr Al Turki described the speech as an outrageous slander against Islam and Muslims. "His comments dealt a severe blow to the whole initiative he had taken for promoting religious dialogue. If he really did not intend to make any offence to Islam and the Prophet, then what is the justification for such an offensive quote? he asked adding, "We never expected the Pope to be so unaware of Islam," he said.

The MWL chief denounced any connection between Islam and violence, particularly with regard to Jihad. "Islam orders believers to respect all prophets and does not allow the belittling of any of them," he said.

Addressing the press conference, Suleiman Al Bathi, spokesman of the International Committee for Supporting the Last Prophet, described the Muslim outrage as spontaneous reactions of Muslims over insults to their Prophet which have hurt their religious feelings.

Al Bathi said that a comprehensive book on the personality of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) entitled Mercy to the Humanity, is being printed. The book will be distributed soon in North America and European countries.

He also unveiled plans to air campaigns through Western television channels on the Prophet's life and teachings. The first advertisement will be a 22-second programme on the 'Best personality in history.' This will be based on the book by Michel Heart namely The Hundred, in which the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) ranked first among the most influential personalities in the history of mankind.

The one-minute second programme entitled 'My name is Mariam,' is the commentary of a Muslim girl called Mariam, speaking about Mariam (Mary), mother of Jesus Christ. The girl's comments are based on the high esteem in which Muslims hold Mariam and Jesus Christ.