HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Zriouh
The Hague Court of Appeal upheld the ruling against an imam who was convicted of making statements considered offensive towards a specific group, during a speech he delivered at a funeral held in a mosque known as "Al-Madina". The court stated that the speech delivered by an influential religious figure cannot be considered merely a free expression of opinion, but must be characterized by responsibility and accuracy due to its significant impact on the local community.
The court affirmed that upholding the judgment after the appeal reflects a firm stance on the need to control public discourse, especially when it comes from prominent religious figures. It pointed out that such statements may lead to serious consequences for social peace and coexistence between different segments of society.
The court emphasized that careful word choice should not be considered a secondary matter, but rather an ethical and legal obligation, especially in public discourse, in order to avoid any kind of tension or division within the community. This decision serves as a warning message to all preachers and religious figures in the Netherlands about the dangers of the impact of thoughtless words.
This ruling also highlights the significant role that imams and preachers must play in promoting the values of tolerance and moderation within local communities and communities, especially among Moroccans in Europe. The word remains a powerful tool for building bridges of understanding between different cultures, while emphasizing the need to represent the image of moderate Islam away from any incitement or abuse.
In conclusion, this ruling reflects the importance of responsible behavior by religious figures in influencing individuals and society, calling for more awareness of the impact of statements on the social fabric, and the importance of using constructive and moderate discourse.
