After Calling For International Blasphemy Crime: Egyptian President Morsi Participates In Service Calling For The Annihilation of All Jews and Israel

You many recall the demand of Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi for a new anti-blasphemy law at the United Nations. One of Mursi’s chief aides, Emad Abdel Ghaffour, “we call for legislation or a resolution to criminalize contempt of Islam as a religion and its Prophet. The voice of reason in the West will prevail if there is mutual respect, dialogue and efficient lobbying for this critical resolution.” That does not appear to be a two-way street with Morsi or his followers. Morsi was shown this week attending prayers and listening to cleric Futouh Abd Al-Nabi Mansour calling for the destruction of all Jews and their supporters. Observers report that Morsi not only did not object or distance himself from the remarks, but appears to say “Amen” after the specific call for death to all Jews.

The service occurred at the el-Tenaim Mosque and was shown on Egyptian state television on Friday. The government broadcast of the prayer further showed implied support when there was no immediate condemnation after Abd Al-Nabi Mansour declared “Oh Allah, absolve us of our sins, strengthen us, and grant us victory over the infidels. Oh Allah, destroy the Jews and their supporters. Oh Allah, disperse them, rend them asunder. Oh Allah, demonstrate Your might and greatness upon them. Show us Your omnipotence, oh Lord.”

Various other governmental officials were in attendance.

Morsi has continued to say that he will honor the peace treaty with Israel, but the failure to denounce such a prayer is alarming. Morsi is clearly trying to ride a tiger with the rise of his Islamic party and the demands for action against Israel. However, the hypocrisy in the Middle East over free speech is striking. Morsi wants a law criminalizing insults to Islam after an obscure filmmaker releases a short trailer of a film on YouTube. Others set out burning and killing in protest. Yet, he sits in a televised prayer service calling for what would amount to genocide against Jews as well as “their supporters” — the largest of which happens to give Egypt billions in aid.

Once again, it is stories like this that reaffirm my opposition to the Administration’s work with countries like Egypt to produce an international criminal standard for anti-religious speech. The Administration claims that it is moderating the positions of Egypt and Pakistan but fails to appreciate that it is merely legitimating the prosecution of people for their speech. These countries are not being moderated but enabled by these efforts.

Source: Miami Herald