Religious leaders warn against Middle East unrest

DEARBORN HEIGHTS (WXYZ) - Both the internet video and the violent protests it sparked are being condemned by religious leaders of several faiths in Metro Detroit.

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi hosted a panel of religious leaders at the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights Saturday morning.

“Whenever we denigrate any child of god, we are saying more about ourselves and some lack within our soul,” said Father Lawrence Ventline, who is with the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The anti-Muslim movie has caused riots in several countries, and left an American ambassador and three other Americans dead.

“Our religion teaches us to answer evil with good, and there is no justification for people to attack the innocent individuals who have nothing to do with that movie,” said Imam Elahi.

Elahi and Ventline agree future violence can be prevented, but they believe education must be part of the solution.