Shouting 'jihad', Malaysian chapter of hardline Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir holds noisy Charlie Hebdo protest in KL

KUALA LUMPUR - Leaders of Muslim countries should threaten violent war against France for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad, the local chapter of hardline Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir suggested today in a protest at the French embassy.

The group said declaring war is an Islamic practice allowed by holy scriptures, as part of “jihad” or holy struggle, whenever Prophet Muhammad or Islam is insulted.

“For the jihad, Muslim leaders must at least issue a statement. Not from Hizbut Tahrir, party politics or individuals. ‘If you do not stop this insult, then we will declare jihad against you’. This should be done.

“If they continue to insult, then war or jihad will be the solution, God willing,” the group’s spokesman Abdul Hakim Othman told reporters outside the embassy in Jalan Ampang.

He added that France and other countries will no longer dare to allow such insults once a war of violence is waged against them.

When asked by Malay Mail Online to clarify what he meant by “jihad”, Abdul Hakim insisted that he meant “a war between nations.

“Any religion would have a red line that cannot be crossed. If you cross these red lines, they will take further action. No matter what religion,” he alleged.

He then cited the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict as proof that jihad or holy war is the only solution for such altercations.

Despite that, Hizbut Tahrir claimed it could only give suggestions rather than coerce any country to take up its call.

“Jihad is not to kill others for fun. But there are matters that needs to be answered by jihad. Because of their insolence,” he added.

Around 200 supporters of the local chapter of hardline Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir today staged a protest outside the French embassy in support of Prophet Muhammad.

The group converged at the Tabung Haji Mosque in Jalan Tun Razak before marching after the Friday prayer, holding placards and the black flags of jihad with white inscription of the Shahada on them.

Twelve editorial staff members from Charlie Hebdo were killed in a massacre on January 7 when Islamist gunmen stormed the magazine’s office in Paris to protest its publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. - Malay Mail