Al-Khaznawi calls out abuse of religion and sense of honor in Syrian conflict

Popular circles and religious leaders in Syria expressed their condemnation of the escalating external phenomena in Syrian society, manifested in repeated incidents of desecrating sanctities, targeting symbols, and using terms that do not reflect the true nature of Syrian culture. 

These include acts of destroying shrines, forcing detained or kidnapped victims to make animal sounds, creative methods of killing victims, and assaults on activists of the Syrian revolution.

 Al-Khaznawi described these acts as "regrettable and far from the teachings of Islam, a deviation from human values." He added: "It is unfortunate to witness, in a time when people suffer from the oppression of aggressors and the injustice of tyrants, the eruption of strife caused by groups that have abandoned religion and ethics."

Commenting on the situation in Syria today under the guise of religion and honor, he cited observed phenomena in Suwayda and its countryside targeting the Druze community, emphasizing that these acts have no connection to Islam but reflect "the practices and behaviors of terrorist gangs" aimed at breaking people's dignity and pride, completely contradicting authentic human values.

Al-Khaznawi referenced the Quranic verse, "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam" (Al-Isra: 70), stressing that killing, torture, and systematic humiliation are incompatible with Islamic principles, which aim to preserve life and dignity, prohibit attacks on innocents and corpses, and call for respecting human dignity regardless of race, religion, sect, or denomination. He also cited the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said: "Whoever humiliates his Muslim brother has humiliated Allah on the Day of Judgment," noting that failing to confront these phenomena constitutes betrayal, negligence, and complicity in sin.

In conclusion, Al-Khaznawi urged rational individuals to take on their historical responsibility by promoting the concept of human dignity, regardless of sect or religion, and defending the pluralism and diversity that have long been part of Syrian identity.

He called for a return to the values of honor and chivalry, which require supporting the oppressed, and stressed that rejecting humiliation is a daily necessity. He also called for standing against those who use the banners of religion and honor to serve authoritarian or sectarian agendas, demanding the exposure of alien behaviors that contradict human ethics, such as intimidation and insulting cultural symbols like mustaches or clothing.

 He stated: "It is essential to take a stand to encourage national reconciliation based on accepting others and respecting differences, and to promote awareness and rational discourse to dispel the ambiguity spread by extremist groups, by fostering a public opinion that embraces justice and tolerance and rejects oppression under any pretext."

 Al-Khaznawi appealed to all rational individuals across Syrian communities to be the voice of conscience, a support for truth, and a moral barrier against those seeking to obliterate identity and religion for purposes of domination and chaos. He emphasized that this requires protecting and highlighting authentic values, adhering to true religion and ethics, and rejecting the exploitation of honor and religious slogans for oppression and control.

a.k

ANHA