What is the position of Islam on erasing the identities of peoples, obliterating their languages, killing their tongues—which are among the signs of Allah—and distorting their history? And is it permissible for a regime that does not rule by what Allah has revealed to deliberately kill the tongue of an innocent people?

The issues of injustice and ruling by other than what Allah has revealed, and their punishments, have been clarified in previous fatwas. The problem with language, culture, and heritage only arises with a weakening of affiliation to Islam, for the foundation is religion with its components and requirements. The Arabic language is essential for the unity of Muslims and for understanding the Quran, Sunnah, and acts of worship. Accustoming oneself to non-Arabic is disliked, and the Arabic language itself is part of the religion, and knowing it is an obligatory duty. Pride in Islam, its history, language, and culture is an important requirement, with the permissibility of loving one's homeland and people as long as it does not conflict with Islam. It is permissible to speak Amazigh or other languages when necessary, but it is strongly disliked without necessity for one who lives among Arabs and is capable of speaking Arabic. Islam does not prefer one color over another nor one gender over another except by piety. One must beware of calls for pre-Islamic tribalism, for fanaticism to race, gender, or homeland is condemned; rather, affiliation is for acquaintance and cooperation, not for boasting and quarreling.