Tolerance is an integral part of our religion, culture, upbringing, nature and heritage. The Holy Quran calls for forgiveness and tolerance, as God Almighty says: “Have forgiveness, preach the truth and keep away from the ignorant.” He also says: “The servants of the All-merciful are those who walk the earth modestly and who, when the ignorant address them, say ‘peace’.” Our Prophet Mohamed (Peace be Upon Him) said: “May Allah show mercy to a man who adopts a kind attitude when he buys, sells and asks for the repayment of loans.” The Prophet also said: “O Allah! Treat harshly those who rule over my Ummah with harshness, and treat gently those who rule over my Ummah with gentleness.”

In this context, we would like to stress that it is of the utmost importance to define the terminology and meticulously explain its meaning. Under the pretext of religious obligation and warning, doors have opened for radicalization through which many were led down the path of extremism. The ignorant came to believe that true faith means strictness, and that the most strict are the most religious and fearing of God. In this way, ignorant extremists excel because they are quick to forbid things, without sufficient knowledge or solid evidence.