In a Friday sermon delivered on May 26, 2023, at the Muslim Youth Victoria Islamic Center, Canadian Imam Younus Kathrada made remarks that have ignited a heated debate regarding his views on disbelievers. The sermon has raised concerns among both Muslim and non-Muslim communities, prompting discussions on the role of religious leaders in promoting tolerance and understanding.
During his sermon, Kathrada stated that Allah has commanded Muslims to harbor a sense of hatred towards disbelievers. However, he emphasized that this hatred should not be misconstrued as a call to violence, stating that hating someone does not necessarily lead to acts of aggression. To illustrate his point, he drew an analogy, questioning whether hating broccoli meant he would smash it or prevent others from eating it.
The controversial remarks continued as Kathrada characterized disbelievers as individuals living a “life of animals,” driven solely by their “lusts and desires.” He further asserted that they remain oblivious to the consequences awaiting them in the Hereafter. Drawing a comparison, he likened them to cattle grazing peacefully in pastures, unaware of their ultimate fate in the slaughterhouse.
Discussion about this post