Despite repeated clearances to foreign correspondents about his opinion on wearing the hijab while in a foreign country, several media outlets have published inaccurate reports misquoting the MWL secretary general.
The misinterpretation prompted the MWL to release the two-month-old video on its website and social media pages, along with subtitles and written text, of Al-Issa addressing a community gathering in Brussels. He delivered his talk on coexistence and tolerance in the presence of representatives and religious leaders of the different Abrahamic faiths.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa
“A Muslim must respect the constitutions and laws and culture of the countries in which they live,” said Al-Issa in his address. “Should the laws not allow head-covering, a request to wear the hijab must only be made through the proper and legal channels and if such a request was rejected, Muslim residents have the option either to abide by the state’s regulations or leave the country.”
An official from the MWL clarified to Arab News that Al-Issa’s statement in no way should be interpreted as a statement encouraging women to remove their head cover, as some media outlets chose to portray the MWL secretary-general’s words.
The official further called upon journalists to “verify the news from its sources before publishing it and not take statements out of context.”
“We are ready to provide answers to all inquiries and have the original copies of any statements made by the secretary-general or on behalf of the MWL,” the official told Arab News.
