A Cairo tribunal on Tuesday upheld death sentences passed on seven Egyptian Coptic Christians in absentia for their involvement in a movie that ridiculed the Prophet Mohammed, a judicial source said.

The accused, including the director of the movie that triggered outrage across the Muslim world when it surfaced last September, are currently living in the United States.

Terry Jones, an American pastor based in Florida who is said to have promoted the film and who had also been sentenced to death in absentia, had his sentence reduced to five years in jail by the tribunal.   »»» THE DAILY STAR (Lebanon)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) NEVER punished those who insulted him and NEVER asked others to punish such people. In the Qur’an addresses the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and says:

“Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; turn away from the ignorant.” (Q. 7:199)

One commentator explains that verse in this way: “Allah comforts the Prophet and directs his mind to three precepts: (1) to forgive injuries, insults and persecution; (2) to continue to declare the faith that was in him…; and (3) to pay no attention to ignorant fools….”

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