Abdullah al-Ahdal, imam of the Grand Mosque of Brussels, and Salim Behir, his librarian, were shot dead in their office after death threats for their "moderate" views on Salman Rushdie. Jihadists claimed responsibility.
his "moderate" stances on religious topics
In March 1989, Imam Abdullah al-Ahdal of the Grand Mosque of Brussels was shot and killed along with Salim Behir, who was in charge of the library and social services at the same mosque. Their corpses were found after the death, with no witnesses to the killing coming forward.
In the immediate aftermath of the killing, there was no claim of responsibility; however, the previous month, the imam had received death threats for moderate views he expressed regarding the Salman Rushdie. In addition, the following month, a jihadist group claimed responsibility.
“You must make a distinction between Islamic society and this country. Khomeini is responsible for his own country, but we are in a democratic country where everybody has the right to express his own thoughts and express themselves as they want.” - Imam Abdullah al-Ahdal’s comments on Rushdie
On a French-language television program, the imam argued that while the content of The Satanic Verses was certainly blasphemous and morally reprehensible, Rushdie still had his right to free expression. In addition, he expressed disagreement with the decision to sentence Rushdie to death by fatwa, arguing instead that he should have been brought to an Islamic tribunal and given the opportunity to explain himself and repent in a trial. Some viewers considered these comments insulting to Islam, and they led to the death threats he received shortly thereafter—and, evidence suggests, to the ultimate loss of his life and that of Salim Behir.
Liberal Muslim Is Killed in Brussels Mosque - New York Times
Muslim Cleric Slain; Rushdie Link Suspected - Los Angeles Times
Belgium Killings Are Claimed - New York Times
