Youssef Seddik Responds to Criticism

Youssef Seddik

Nessma TV’s weekly program, “Our Maghreb, emancipation and enlightenment,” presented by Professor Youssef Seddik, has triggered different reactions from viewers of the TV channel, whose hosts are known for boldly introducing ideas considered an attack on Islam by certain viewers. Youssef Seddik was among those who had to bear the brunt of severe criticism.

One  important comment on a website revolves around Seddik’s alleged denial of the sanctity of the Quran and his equaling Prophet Mohammed with Shakespeare as a harbinger of tidings, the former having a religion while the latter gained no followers and remains a playwright. He was also accused of claiming that the Quran included examples taken from Greek myths.

Probing into his opinion on the matter, Seddik stated that mosque preachers during Friday sermons accused him of attacking religion, calling him a crusader. A media campaign was launched by several known figures attacking him, which Seddik described as slander. He insisted that he was misunderstood and that he wanted to deliver to the public an opinion that was the opposite of what was said about him on miracles, the personality of the Prophet and the alleged comparison to Shakespeare.

His writings enjoy a readership in the West, earning respect for Islam. The  French newspaper Le Monde devoted  a whole page speaking about Islam and his works and has published headlines in appreciation of his writings.

He thought that his attackers may have wanted him to speak according to their tendencies,  using an indiscriminate and incomprehensible academic style without taking into account the receiver. These people are excellent in slandering and denigrating others with no understanding, Seddik says, which made him think seriously of returning to exile and leaving the ground for them.

Source: Al Ousbouii