Al-Quds newspaper

The name of the young Jordanian artist, Hossam Al-Silawi, topped the social media platforms in Jordan, following a widespread wave of anger sparked by his recent statements, which were considered insulting to the Islamic religion and an attack on the status of the Prophet. These statements sparked rapid official and popular reactions that demanded that he be held legally accountable for his offenses against religious constants.

Al-Silawi had appeared in a video clip in which he called for reading the Holy Qur’an directly, away from the interpretations of scholars, describing sheikhs and preachers as “ignorant.” He also claimed in his speech that the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, did not interpret the Holy Qur’an, claiming that he was content with receiving it and dictating it to the writers of revelation only, which observers considered to be a questioning of the Prophetic Sunnah.

For his part, the media spokesman for the Jordanian Public Security Directorate, Colonel Amer Sartawi, announced the issuance of a security circular against Hussam Al-Silawi in preparation for his arrest. He explained that this measure comes against the backdrop of circulating statements, as legal action will be taken against him upon his arrival in the Kingdom, as he is currently abroad.

In a related context, the Anti-Cybercrime Unit began its technical investigations into the circulating video clip to verify its merits and document the abuse contained in it. Security sources confirmed that the competent authorities will not tolerate any digital content that affects religious values ​​or threatens societal peace, stressing the continued legal follow-up of everything published through various platforms.

On the religious level, the Jordanian General Fatwa Department entered the crisis line with an explanatory statement in which it affirmed that the position of the Prophet Muhammad is a position of absolute reverence and reverence. The department explained that describing the Prophet as “illiterate” is a description of divine perfection and honor, proving that the Qur’an is a pure revelation that was not learned from humans, stressing that the Sunnah is the second source of legislation and cannot be separated from the Book.

In a professional development, the Jordanian Artists Syndicate was quick to issue an official statement denying any connection to Al-Silawi, stressing that he is not registered in its official records. The union said that the person in question does not have any professional or union status that gives him the right to present himself as an artist representing the Jordanian cultural community, expressing its rejection of exploiting art to stir up strife.

In its statement, the union stressed that the artistic message must be based on respecting national and religious constants and enhancing community awareness, not destroying it. It warned against attempts to provide offensive content under the guise of art, considering that such actions harm the entire artistic sector and create a state of confusion and confusion between true creators and those looking to stir up controversy.

The union called on the media and social media users to be careful before giving professional titles to individuals without verifying their legal status. She pointed out that social responsibility requires not promoting personalities who cross red lines on issues that affect public opinion and the values ​​established in Jordanian society.

The repercussions of the crisis were not limited to the official side, but rather reached the corridors of the Silawi family, where his father announced his complete disavowal of his son’s actions and words. Local sources quoted the father as saying that these abuses do not represent him and do not reflect the principles and values ​​on which his son was raised within the family, expressing his shock at what was stated in his statements.

The father revealed that there had been a complete estrangement between him and his son for a long time due to previous disagreements related to his personal and artistic choices, which he was not satisfied with. He confirmed that he blocked his son on all social media platforms, a clear indication that their relationship has reached a dead end as a result of recent behavioral accumulations.

On the other hand, Hossam Al-Silawi tried to defend himself through his Instagram account, where he published a post in which he said, “God suffices me, and He is the best disposer of affairs,” indicating that he was subjected to injustice. In his post, he considered that there are those who are trying to deprive him of seeing his daughter and slander him, stressing that “right is not lost” in light of the attack he is being subjected to.

In an attempt to contain the anger, Al-Silawi published another apology in which he justified his statements about religion and prophets, saying that his words had been misunderstood. He said in his apology: “I apologize if the letters betrayed me and I did not appreciate the minds of some,” which activists considered an insufficient apology and even carrying a kind of arrogance towards his critics.

The case continues to provoke widespread reactions in the Jordanian street, amid anticipation of what the legal procedures will result when Al-Silawi returns to the Kingdom. This incident is a new episode in the series of controversy over the limits of freedom of expression in religious issues and the extent of the responsibility of celebrities for what they publish through their personal accounts.