posted on October 13, 2001 11:44:52 AM new
In another thread, toke asked if any American Muslim leaders had spoken out against Bin Laden's actions and his interpretation of Islam [or words to that effect]. I just read this in my local paper and, while it may not be exactly what she was looking for, I did think it was interesting enough to share:
This week, American Muslims released their own fatwa, giving permission to American Muslim soldiers to participate in a war against bin Laden, saying "all Muslims ought to be united against all those who terrorize the innocents."
Determining which fatwas are valid can be difficult, because Islam, especially the Sunni form practiced in much of the world, has no formal ordination process for clergy and no religious hierarchy. Congregations of Muslims generally select their most learned member as their imam, or spiritual leader, and Muslims tend to look to religiously educated men who are respected by other Muslims for religious advice.
This week's release of a fatwa at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., was somewhat of an unusual marker for Muslims in America. The fatwa was issued by prominent Middle Eastern scholars at the request of Army chaplain Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad. "Muslims are part of the American society," said Taha Jabir Alalwani, president of the Fiqh Council of North America, the top body of Muslim scholars in the United States. "Anyone who feels he is fighting in a just war must fight."
posted on October 13, 2001 11:55:28 AM new
Thanks for the link. I have wondered why bin Laden was "allowed" to make fatwas and jihad's if he was not a religous head honcho. And is has seems like every Tom, Dick and Mohomad was issuing jihad's.
posted on October 13, 2001 12:36:24 PM new
Far from supporting U.S. efforts in the Middle East, here is what our Community College tax dollars are funding in my town:
"HAYWARD -- Applause erupted at Chabot Community College Thursday night when a speaker at a panel discussion on Afghanistan laid the blame for unrest in the Middle East on United States foreign policy."
posted on October 13, 2001 12:43:05 PM new
Thanks for posting that link, Barry. I'm glad they issued that fatwa, though I can't seem to find the actual text of it anywhere, can you? It's so darn lukewarm, at least as it's described in the article.
What bothered me before, and bothers me still, is the lack of outrage from American Moslem clerics. I just don't understand it. There's plenty of passion coming from the anti-American, fundamentalist side...why not from the moderates who speak against terrorism and violence? Why aren't they absolutely furious about what's being done to their country in the name of their faith?
I've heard the clerics decry terrorism and terrorists...repeat that this is against the principles of Islam...exhort us to study Islam so that we might understand its loving nature, yet they simply don't sound offended on behalf of Islam itself.
I guess I just wanted to hear them denounce Bin Laden and his ilk in the strongest possible terms. That apparently isn't going to happen. Perhaps it's just the nature of "moderates" or maybe is the normal way of mainstream Moslem clerics. Kind of a rabbinical teaching/lecture format...you think?
