Associated Press of Pakistan – Darul Uloom issues fatwa denouncing terrorism
Associated Press of Pakistan – Darul Uloom issues fatwa denouncing terrorism
NEW DELHI, Dec. 13 APP: Darul Uloom Deoband, a leading Islamic centre in India issued fatwa denouncing terrorism and said it was against Islamic principles. Media reports quoted Mufti-e-Azam Maulana Fazlurehman Hilal Usmani, a scholar of Darul Uloom as saying in Saharanpur “Jehad signifies a fight against evil while terrorism is aimed at killing of innocent people. The two are opposite each other.”
Terrorism is a henious crime against humanity and it should not be equated with jehad, he added.
According to Islamic principles, “killing of an innocent is equal to killing of the entire humanity. Some fanatics are bringing a bad name not only to Muslims but also to Islam on the pretext of waging jehad”, the scholar said.
“Jehad is the ultimate destination. There is no greed in jehad; the man sacrifices his life for a noble cause. Islam provides that even during war, places of worship, innocent people, hospitals and educational institutions should not be targeted,” Mufti-e-Azam said.
This is exactly what we need to hear more of: High-level Muslim authorities speaking out against terrorism. It is a shame that most of the media ignores Muslims when they speak out against terror. I interviewed the Imam at the local Mosque, and he said the same thing, that for some reason anti-terrorism Muslims just don’t seem to get any press coverage.
That interview is posted here: http://www.caucusrace.org/2007/12/test_11.html