The Wall Street Journal reported that the anti-Islam movie that ignited violence in Egypt and Libya against the United States, was produced and directed by an Israeli American.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the anti-Islam movie that ignited violence in Egypt and Libya against the United States, was produced and directed by an Israeli American.
The paper said that the "Innocence of Muslims" was written, directed and produced by 54-year-old Sam Bacile who is from California and heads real-estate companies.
As he was quoted by the WSJ as saying that he wanted to "showcase his view of Islam as a hateful religion," considering that "Islamc is a cancer", he reassured that he was behind the film and clarified that he took "five million dollars from 100 Jewish contributor", but did not specify their identity.
""The movie is a political movie. It's not a religious movie," he added.
He further said in a statement that "it is an American production, not designed to attack Muslims but to show the destructive ideology of Islam..."
In addition, the paper indicated that the film was "promoted by Terry Jones, the Florida pastor whose burning of Qurans previously sparked deadly riots around the world," and noted that "Jones planned to show a 13-minute trailer at his church in Gainesville."
The Israeli director pointed out that he worked with 60 actors and a 45 crew members to bring out the movie within three months last year in California.
Al-Azhar's Stance
Al-Azhar regarded the "International Judge Mohammad Day" as an extremist call that motivated religious and sectarian racism and threatened the societies' security and stability.
Al-Azhar condemned in a statement what he referred to as "chaotic invitations" by the international and Western media, indicating that "a part of those with spiteful hearts and sick minds that have always taken a stance from Islam and Muslims, are calling for what they refer to as the International Judge Mohammad Day under the claim of freedom of opinion and expression."
US Pastor Jones, who burned the holy Quran last year, announced earlier that he planned to "prepare a public trial against Prophet Mohammad" on the 11th of September this year, which marks the 11th anniversary of the twin towers attacks in New York."
Al-Azhar emphasized that "Islam is the religion of coexistance, harmony, mind and logic that calls for dialogue between civilizations and peaceful coexistance. It is not the religion of "the conflict of civilizations", spreading hatred, igniting clashes and enemity among people."
"Islam is a religion of love and sympathy with people of other religions who are peaceful to us," it added.
"Accusing Islam of being a human religion is a madness, silliness, and a delusion of mind and opinion, and it is not new, as the infidels of Quraish repeated that during the time of the prophet, and all the corrupts who belong to them will do the same," the statement read.
Al-Azhar praised the stances of people who belong to other religions inside and outside Egypt, who rejected those "extremist calls" and rather called for dialogue and forgiveness instead.
