Muslims For Progressive Values Condemns The Attacks On Diplomatic Installations & Rioting Over Video

Sept. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Los Angeles, CA - September 12, 2012: MPV reiterates our position on free speech and condemns violence and murder as a response to disagreement or offence.

MPV reiterates its position on free speech and condemns the violence being committed by extremists in reaction to a video they believe insults Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

We send our sincere condolences to the family of US Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens and all the Americans who were killed in Benghazi.

We support President Obama's statement that he will work with the Libyan government to bring the perpetrators to justice and note his acknowledgment that Libyans fought to protect the Americans at the embassy and worked hard to save them.

As Muslims, we revere Prophet Mohammad as a figure of hope, guidance, and leadership and, above all, as an example.

During his lifetime, Prophet Mohammad faced direct persecution and yet never responded in a violent way. In fact, in a well known narration, there was a woman in Mecca who would dump refuse at his door, lay thorns in his path and even poured dung on his head while Mohammad was praying. He never responded with anger or violence. To the contrary, when he noticed the absence of this woman who would torment him he visited her home to find that she was sick and wished her well.

Contrast the above example of our revered Prophet with the actions of extremists today and it is clear the violence being committed by them is contrary to his example and un-Islamic.

MPV upholds the principle of free speech, whether political, artistic, social or religious, even when that expression may be offensive and that dissent may be considered blasphemous.

MPV holds that none should be legally prosecuted, imprisoned or detained for declaring or promoting unpopular opinions.

To learn more about MPV please visit www.mpvusa.org.

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To arrange for an interview of Ani Zonneveld please contact her at 323-842-2869 (PST) or ani@mpvusa.org

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007.  MPV asserts that Islam is inherently progressive, inclusive and egalitarian which is an understanding that informs the ten principles by which the organization is guided. In the short years since its inception, MPV has expanded to include chapter and affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Columbus (OH) as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information can be found at www.mpvusa.org.