On 11 September, Qais al-Khazali, AAH’s secretary-general, instructed AAH cadres, members, supporters and affiliates to refrain from responding to insults against the movement. He permitted defensive and explanatory replies but prohibited answering insult with insult, assigning religious and organizational responsibility for violations; Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) reproduced the instruction minutes later.
- Qais al-Khazali media officeAAH — official leader office11 Sept, 21:10
“Members and supporters must refrain from responding to those who insult us and our movement; if a response is necessary, it must be limited to defensive and explanatory replies rather than answering insult with insult. Any contrary act or statement carries organizational responsibility for members.”
ضرورة الامتناع عن الردِّ على مَن يُسيءُ لنا ولحركتِنا المُجاهدة... وإن كان لا بدَّ من الردِّ، فالاكتفاءُ بالردِّ الدفاعي والتوضيحيِّ دونَ ردِّ الإساءةِ بمثلِها... أيَّ فعلٍ أو قولٍ يصدرُ خلافاً لتوجيهِنا... يتحملُ هو المسؤوليةَ... التنظيميةَ إذا كان ينتمي تنظيمياً.
- Al-Ahad TVAAH — official11 Sept, 21:12
“The movement’s cadres and supporters must refrain from responding to insults; any necessary response should be defensive and explanatory only.”
ضرورةِ الامتناعِ عن الردِّ على مَن يُسيءُ لنا ولحركتِنا المُجاهدة... الاكتفاءُ بالردِّ الدفاعي والتوضيحيِّ دونَ ردِّ الإساءةِ بمثلِها.
The reiterated rule distinguishes authorized defensive clarification from conduct for which AAH personnel would bear organizational responsibility.