CAIRO – Billboards promoting that Jesus is one of the prophets who Muslims believe in are causing uproar in Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Monday, May 30.
"The campaign organizers profess the billboard advertisements are to inform,” said Bishop Julian Porteous, from the Archdiocese of Sydney.
“But in effect they have provoked a response reflected in the vandalism we saw at the weekend."
Billboards were set up across Sydney promoting that Muslims believe that Jesus is one of the prophets of God.
Carrying the slogans “Jesus: a prophet of Islam”, the billboards were funded by the Islamic group MyPeace, which is working to promote relations between Muslims and Christians.
But the billboards drew fire from Christian leaders as ‘provocative’.
"In Australia with its Christian heritage a billboard carrying the statement `Jesus A prophet of Islam' is provocative and offensive to Christians," said Bishop Porteous.
On Sunday, one of the billboards was vandalized in Darlinghurst.
"We certainly do not support vandalism but its occurrence is a sign that the advertisement has provoked a negative response," Bishop Porteous said.
The Christian leader called for removing the billboards.
"For the sake of preserving social harmony and respect between major world religions these billboards should be withdrawn, along with others which carry messages directly offensive to Christians."
Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population.
Positive
Organizers have defended the campaign, saying the billboards have received a positive response from Christians.
MyPeace organizer Diaa Mohamed told Fairfax he had received "overwhelmingly positive feedback from Christians, atheists, Muslims, everyday Australians".
He condemned the billboard’s vandalism as validating “the reason they went up in the first place".
He said his group will go ahead with plans for similar ads with slogans as “Holy Quran: the final testament” and “Muhammad: mercy to mankind” - on buses travelling through the city and in the Hills district.
Muslims believe in Jesus as one of the great Prophets of God and that he is the son of Mary but not the Son of God. He was conceived and born miraculously.
In the Noble Qur’an, Jesus is called "Isa". He is also known as Al-Masih (the Christ) and Ibn Maryam (Son of Mary).
As for his crucifixion, Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was lifted up to heaven.
Muslims believe that Jesus will come back to earth before the end of time to restore peace and order, fight the Anti-Christ (Al-Masih Al-Dajjal) and bring victory for truth and righteousness.
The true followers of Jesus will prevail over those who deny him, misrepresent him and reject him.
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