The Editor
The Jewish Chronicle
25 Furnival Street
London
EC4A 1JT

19 September 2003

Dear Sir,

In his latest typically self-assured column in today's issue of the Jewish Chronicle (19th September 2003), Professor Geoffrey Alderman alleges that the blessed Prophet Muhammad deliberately 'broke the treaty' of Hudaybiyya with the pagan Arabs of Makkah. This is a deeply offensive and demonstrably false allegation. The facts concerning the Treaty of Hudaybiyya are briefly:

1. The Prophet and his companions were prevented by the pagan Arabs from visiting Makkah to perform the voluntary pilgrimage ('umrah). Instead of engaging in fighting, and despite the willingness of his followers to enforce their religious rights, the Prophet chose a peaceful settlement by signing the Treaty of Hudaybiyya in 628 CE (not 626 CE as stated by Professor Alderman) with the pagan Arabs.

2. Two years later, the pagan Arabs broke the treaty by attacking and killing 20 allies of the Muslims as they slept. It is internationally recognized that when one party breaks a treaty, the other party is released from its obligations.

3. Even after this attack, no bloody revenge was taken against those who broke the treaty. In fact, when the Muslims finally entered Makkah, an amnesty was granted to nearly all former enemies.

The Qur'an clearly states: "Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears God much; verily, then God loves those who are the pious." (al-Qur'an 3:76).

Yours faithfully,
Mr Inayat Bunglawala,
Secretary,
Media Committee,
The Muslim Council of Britain