Spanish Imam Probed for ‘Destroy the Jews’ Rant
Spanish prosecutors are investigating the actions of an imam from a town near Madrid who called for the destruction of Jews.
Salahuddin al Mussaoui of Azuqueca de Henares made the statement in a video that appeared Aug. 25 on the YouTube channel of the Islamic Cultural Center of Azuqueca de Henares, but authorities only now have launched a probe, according to a report Sunday by the Europe Press news agency.
In the 30-minute video, which is titled ”Gaza triumphs depite Jewish world dominance,” Mussaoui is seen telling his congregation during a sermon, “Oh, Allah, most merciful, throw stones at them. Stone them. Leave none of them alive.” He also said, “Allah, destroy the Jewish occupiers.”
Mussaoui is suspected of inciting hatred and provoking violence, Europe Press reported.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Azuqueca de Henares apologized for the sermon in a statement released on Oct. 19, saying the center “calls for respect and coexistence between religious communities.”
The statement said the video “was recorded during the brutal attacks of the Zionist state of Israel against the Gaza Strip, attacks which provoked anger and indignation by all peoples of the world. The Muslim community of Azuqueca de Henares in this context ‘made statements which are absolutely inappropriate’ for the coexistence in our city. We apologize to individuals or groups offended by the sermon,” read the text.
It did not say who was quoted in defining Mussaoui’s words as inappropriate.
Israel launched Operation Protective Edge against Hamas in Gaza this summer to quell rocket fire from the coastal strip.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
