Dawn News : Fatwa against terrorism

Sunday, 28 Mar, 2010

THERE is no doubt that the majority of right-minded Muslims in the world condemn terrorism and accept that it has no link with Islam.

Unfortunately, there are some elements within society that remain silent on this issue and this can be construed as a tacit approval of these atrocities.

Moreover there are others who attempt to justify it by focusing on the politics that cause these atrocities.

The only person who has been able to produce what is an unprecedented 600-page fatwa against terrorism is Dr Muhammad Tahirul Qadri.

In his fatwa book, to be published in three languages, he has stated that “all these acts are grave violations of human rights and constitute disbelief (kufr) under Islamic law.”

Unfolding the background of the fatwa, he explained that their actions caused harm not just to Islam but to humanity.

He also went on to say that “its existence is an open danger against the integrity of Pakistan and world peace.”

He added: “The entire nation should dissociate itself from these elements and condemn them in the strongest possible terms unequivocally and with one voice. It is the need of the time for Pakistan to unite among its ranks at every level.”

Moreover, Dr Qadri has clarified that the fatwa is not in support of the US and its allies and nor should it be taken as an approval of their policies in the region.

In the same way it did not support the disputed policies of the government of Pakistan and its unpopular style of governance and undemocratic attitude.

This edict is particularly important for Britain because of the fact that the majority of Muslims are from South Asia and some extreme elements are confused about the religious viewpoint.