Chron.com | Factions battle for the soul of Islam

Chron.com | Factions battle for the soul of Islam

•Moderates and militants exchange proclamations in war of the fatwas

By BRIAN MURPHY – Associated Press

ATHENS, GREECE – It’s becoming known as the war of the fatwas: the dizzying exchange of proclamations between Islamic moderates and militants on what it means to be Muslim. The duels have been waged in pamphlets and in cyberspace.

Now some Muslim leaders seek to shift tactics. Their hope rests in one of Islam’s most elemental questions: Who has the real authority to make religious rulings and other interpretations of the faith?

Proposals to sharply control the issuing of fatwas — the nonbinding edicts on Muslim life, law and duties — are still little more than loose concepts and would require potentially stormy challenges to Islam’s decentralized leadership.

But there are some influential backers such as Jordan’s King Abdullah II. They argue that bold changes are needed in Islam’s hierarchy to isolate radical clerics and discredit terrorist leaders.

Abdullah, who brought his anti-terrorist message to Athens last week, has appealed for moderate Muslims to take decisive control of fatwas and religious guidance. In early December, Abdullah told the 56-member Organization of the Islamic Conference that failure to establish a clear framework to interpret Islam leaves the door open for radicals.

The summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, wrapped up with a statement reinforcing that only “those who are authorized” can issue fatwas.

But now there’s the Internet and other ways to spread messages to mass audiences.

One of the most infamous salvos was the 1998 “fatwa” by Osama bin Laden and followers that called on Muslims to “kill the Americans and their allies.”