Major clerics in Lebanon and Iran have reacted angrily to statements made by Jerry Falwell, an American Christian pastor, who referred to the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist during a recent episode of the television program 60 Minutes. In Beirut, Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, the former spiritual leader of the anti-Israeli militant group Hezbollah, stated that Falwell's comments reflect the mindset of the White House in Washington and American right-wing Christians who support Israel. In Iran, Mohsen Mojtahed Shabestari declared that Falwell and two other conservative American pastors, Pat Robertson and Billy Graham Jr., should be killed. The Tehran-based newspaper Abrar reported that Shabestari made his remarks during a Friday prayer sermon in Tabriz. The report noted that Shabestari emphasized that his comments were directed specifically at the three mentioned pastors and not at other Christians in America. In Mumbai, Muslims protested for the second consecutive day against Falwell's views, leading to clashes. Reuters reported that four people were killed in the latest clashes. Earlier in the week, a general strike was held in Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir, in response to Falwell's statements. Police were compelled to fire warning shots and use tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of Muslim demonstrators during these protests.
Angry Reactions from Clerics in Lebanon and Iran to American Priests' Statements - 2002-10-13
Clerics in Lebanon and Iran have expressed outrage over Jerry Falwell's comments labeling the Prophet Muhammad a terrorist. This has led to calls for violence against Falwell and other American pastors, as well as protests in Mumbai and a general strike in Kashmir. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Islamic leaders and American religious figures.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
American pastor Jerry Falwell made controversial remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, leading to angry reactions from clerics in Lebanon and Iran. This resulted in calls for violence against Falwell and other American pastors, as well as protests in Mumbai and Kashmir.
- Jerry Falwell called the Prophet Muhammad a terrorist on a TV program.
- Iranian cleric Mohsen Mojtahed Shabestari called for the death of Falwell and other pastors.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The early 2000s were a time of significant tension between the Islamic world and the West, particularly following the events of 9/11 and the subsequent U.S. foreign policy actions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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