Algerian Imam Justifies Paris Attacks: Violence Begets Counter-Violence

In a Friday sermon delivered in Algeria on January 9 and posted on the Internet, Imam Mostapha Ghoulam Rashed said that when people draw cartoons offensive to Islam and and make a mockery of the Prophet Muhammad, "counter-violence is inevitable."

Following are excerpts:

Mostapha Ghoulam Rashed: I would like to talk for a couple of minutes about violence and counter-violence. People provoke the Muslims, do not respect their values, and curse their Prophet. They draw cartoons offensive to Islam, and made a mockery of the Prophet Muhammad. They alleged that he would fornicate with women, would drink alcohol, and would smoke cigars, and that the was a man of war and a global terrorist. The whole world witnessed these allegations in silence. What did they expect would happen?! Counter-violence is inevitable.

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Let me reiterate that violence must be met by counter-violence. Therefore, the leaders of the world – in France, the U.S., and elsewhere – must warn their peoples to avoid any offense to the sanctities [of Islam], and to the values of the people. They must avoid provocations, because violence begets counter-violence.

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