The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Bermuda, unequivocally denounces the hurtful and misguided anti-Islam film “Innocence of Muslims”. The film attacks the character and life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him, “pbuh”) in a vile and factually inaccurate manner. It depicts Muslims as bloodthirsty Christian-haters and Islam as an oppressive and evil faith. Muslims around the world have been deeply grieved by such an inaccurate portrayal of their beloved Prophet and of their faith.The film represents a grossly unprincipled use of the right to freedom of speech and a flagrant attempt to incite the emotions of a large proportion of the world. The use of “free speech” as a cover for an intentionally crude, provocative and factually inaccurate portrayal of the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, a figure revered by many, undermines the very spirit of free speech.The Khalifa of Islam, World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has appealed to Muslims to peacefully speak out against the anti-Islam film. This is because, while Islam is not against the right to free speech, such a right must be exercised in a responsible and sensible way and conflicts of opinions should be aired in a meaningful and civilized manner and not through degrading caricatures, language or films.His Holiness stated in a recent Friday Sermon (September 21, 2012) delivered at Bait’ul Futuh Mosque, Morden, UK:“The law about freedom of speech is not heavenly scripture. This is what I told the politicians in my address in USA: that there can be flaws in man-made laws; some aspects can be missed while legislating because man does not possess the knowledge of the unseen (Note: Address at Capitol Hill by His Holiness, 27th June 2012, http://www.alislam.org/egazette/press-release/khalifa-of-islam-makes-historic-address-at-capitol-hill/). But God is Knower of the unseen and there is no flaw in His laws. People should not consider their laws so final that there could be no alterations in them. While a law for freedom of speech exists, but neither any country’s law nor the UN Charter has the proviso that no person will be free to injure the religious sentiments of others or that holy personage of religions should not be disparaged for it ruins world peace and causes eruptions of hatred to spill over and it widens the chasm between countries and religions.While a law for freedom of speech has been made giving an individual freedom which is fine, there is no law against injuring the sentiments of others. UN is also not being successful because the law of freedom of speech is considered a huge feat. God states that do not even belittle the idols of other people for they would in retaliation do the same to your God and it would destroy peace and enmity would increase. This is the teaching of the God of Islam, the God of this universe, who sent His beloved (Holy Prophet Muhammad pbuh) with this perfect teaching, giving him the title of ‘Mercy for all the worlds.’ Thus, the educated people of the world, the politicians and people in governments should think if by not firmly dealing with these few vulgar people, are they not being party to destroying peace? People of the world should think if by playing with the religious sentiments of others and agreeing with these few slimy insects of the world, are they not too, being party to destroying world peace?......Let it not be that in the name of freedom of speech the peace of the entire world be destroyed.”The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community would also like to denounce the destructive and violent protests against the film which has been witnessed over the past two weeks. The Holy Prophet Muhammad is the example par excellence for humanity and, in the face of abuse directed at himself, always reacted peacefully by either removing himself from the situation or responding with reasoned intellect. Accordingly, this has been the consistent approach of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Regarding the ensuing violent protests after the release of the film, His Holiness stated: “It is true that some Muslim reaction is incorrect; damage and destruction, setting things on fire, killing of the innocent, leaving diplomats unprotected, killing of diplomats are all wrong….Muslims need to remember that extremism is not the answer to such provocation. Instead the answer is to reform oneself and to respond to the curses of the opponents by sending salutations (ie Durood) on the Holy Prophet (pbuh). And in worldly terms the Muslim world needs to unite and Muslims who live in western countries should fully utilise the power of their right to vote…… vote for those politicians who demonstrate tolerance in matters of religion and who condemn people who perpetrate such vulgarities and make such films.”During the press conference that followed the Friday Sermon, the Khalifa told the assembled media that the love a Muslim has for the Holy Prophet Muhammad was unparalleled. He said that all people are hurt if their loved ones are mocked and thus any attack on the Holy Prophet is sure to grieve all Muslims. He emphasised that all protests must be conducted within the scope of the law and remain peaceful. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide has not and will not organise or participate in any street protests and has chosen to denounce the anti-Islam film by appealing to all good-natured people to speak out against such irresponsible abuse of the right to free speech and condemning all forms of hatred and extremism.His Holiness has further instructed his community that the true and noble character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad should be made known to the world through widespread distribution of books. Please email alislam.bermuda@gmail.com for a copy of the book ‘Life of Muhammad”.The full Friday Sermon of 21st Sep 2012 can be read here: http://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/index2.php?d=2012-09-21