FNC speaker says terrorism is harming Islam

Mohammed Al Murr said that the extremist groups have caused much damage to Islam through acts of killing, displacement, destruction and violence.

FNC speaker Mohammed Al Murr at a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National

ISTANBUL // Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council, has affirmed the importance of the UAE’s humanitarian aid to millions of Muslims affected by conflicts.

“The gap of mutual understanding with other world civilisations has been widening amid the spread of forces of darkness, terrorism and extreme groups that should not claim to embrace the noble values of tolerance that Islam teaches,” said Mr Al Murr.

He was representing the UAE at the 10th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, in Istanbul. Mr Al Murr said extremist groups damaged Islam through killing, displacement, destruction and violence, state news agency Wam reported.

But he added that a nation of 1.5 billion people was still continuing its cultural and historic role across the world. Sharia should not be blamed for terrorism as extremism was also found in other religions and civilisations, he said.

Mr Al Murr condemned all acts against the teachings and principles of Islam, including the publishing of offensive material about the Prophet Mohammed. He said: “Freedom should be exercised with responsibility and respect for the basic rights of others.”

Mr Al Murr also called on Iran to “understand the importance of settling the issue of the UAE occupied islands”, referring to Iran’s occupation of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.