Hawzah News Agency- the statement of Ayatollah Arafi, Head of Islamic Seminary, condemning the killing of Syrian people by Tahrir al-Sham (al-Jolani) is as follows:

In the name of Allah, the Merciful

And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law]. Verse (17:33)

Islam, as a religion in which the preservation of life, wealth and human dignity is emphasized, never allows the killing of innocents. And God Almighty has clearly stated in the Holy Quran:

“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right” (Surah Al-Isra, verse 33).

This verse clearly emphasizes the prohibition of killing a soul, especially the killing of innocent people. Therefore, any action against the lives of innocent people, especially in the conditions observed in Syria, is a clear violation of religious teachings.

The killing of Syrians by the armed groups of Tahrir al-Sham is not only carried out against Islamic principles but has also caused division and harm to the Islamic society.

Under international human rights law, including the Geneva Conventions and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the killing of innocent people and any form of organized violence against civilians, especially children and women, is categorically condemned.

Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which states that wars and armed conflicts must be conducted in accordance with international humanitarian principles, strictly prohibits any attack on civilians. Violation of these principles, as seen in the actions of groups such as Tahrir al-Sham, is a clear example of a war crime and is subject to prosecution in international courts.

I call on all armed groups in Syria to adhere to Islamic and humanitarian principles and refrain from any violence and killing of innocent people. In these critical circumstances, when the great Satan and his evil ally in the region, the child-killing Zionist regime, intend to strike at genuine Islam, the only way to end the Syrian crisis is to strive for reconciliation and national unity.

The message of Islam has always been one of peace, and the removal of division. Islamic verses and traditions teach us that the goal of every war and conflict should be to create peace and security, not to kill innocent people.

I express my condolences for the brutal massacre of innocent people in Syria. I condemn these crimes and call on all wise and brave scholars of the Islamic world and elders of other religions to condemn this act that is against the Sharia and the international law. I call on international institutions and human rights organizations to take serious action to end war crimes in Syria and to try the officials and groups violating human rights in international courts.

Ali Reza Arafi

Head of Iran’s Seminaries