The Imam of Peace welcomed a UK-based Muslim leader to the Global Imams Council in a social media post on Thursday following his suspension from his role for criticizing Hamas.
“The UK imam suspended for criticizing Hamas is welcome to join the Global Imams Council - provided he stands firm and doesn’t backtrack,” read the post.
Mohammad Tawhidi, the self-proclaimed Imam of Peace, is an Australian Shia Muslim commentator and imam whose anti-terrorism views have earned him praise from interfaith advocates and threats from extremist Muslims, according to the National Post.
Tawhidi assured in his social media statement that “at ImamsOrg, we only accept imams who condemn Hamas and every Muslim Brotherhood terrorirst group.”
UK-based Imam Umayr Mulla was suspended from the Nottingham-based mosque Masjid Khazra after stating he “had no issue with Israel,” and recognizing Israelis’ history in the Middle East in a recent interview with british activist Tommy Robinson.
Mulla also stated in the interview that he is against the pay-for-slay policies of the Palestinian Authority, as well as many actions terror organizations like ISIS and Hamas have committed in the name of Islam. He also claimed to not have an issue with Israel's existence, arguing that "as long as both people are living in peace, I believe both sides should have their own countries."
Tawidi, a governing member of the Global Imams Council (ImamsOrg), emphasized in his post the organization’s commitment to countering terrrorism. One of the council’s main goals is to unite “imams and advocates for peaceful coexistence among all communities,” according to its website.
“We make no apologies for [condemning terrorist organizations], and we don’t accommodate those who do,” concluded Tawidi.