A Message for Our Time — Page 12
12 I slaamnl ter ior Publ immediately went to offer their support to the Jewish community and to stand in solidarity with them after that despicable crime. We seek no reward or gratitude for such things, because we are merely following what our religion has taught us, which is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of other faiths and beliefs in their times of need or distress. We champion the right of all people to live their lives, free from discrimination or prejudice. Anyone who is willing to look at Islamic history, objectively and honestly, will see that universal freedom of belief has always been a core tenet of Islam. Indeed, a great manifestation of such pluralism and broad-mindedness was the government that was formed in the Arabian city of Madinah, where the Holy Prophet Muhammad sas migrated to, along with many of his followers, after facing years of persecution in Makkah. Alongside the lead- ers of other religions and communities, the Prophet of Islam sas established a covenant that served as the basis for governance in that diverse city. It ensured that all members of society were able to live in peace, free from oppression, and were free to practice their religion or beliefs. Furthermore, according to the customs of the time, each community was bound by their own religious laws or tribal customs. Thus, Muslims followed laws based upon the Islamic Shariah, Jewish people followed laws based upon the Torah and other communities followed laws according to their own customs and beliefs. At the same time, all people, no matter their faith, had a responsibility to uphold the peace of the state and to treat others with respect. The treaty fostered peace and ensured that a toler- ant society prevailed. Thus, more than 1400 years ago, a multi- cultural melting-pot of a society was successfully managed and