In a meeting with participants in Fatwa conference: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques stresses muftis' role in illuminating nation, fighting deviant thought

Makkah conference issues fatwa code specifying muftis' prerequisites

Deans, professors of Islamic universities affirm kings’ initiatives based on Islamic perspective

Saudi mufti denounces intellectual deviation

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at his Palace the Grand Mufti and Head of the MWL Founding Council Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Elsheikh, MWL Secretary General Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki and the participants in the International Conference on Fatwa and its Controls organized by the Islamic Jurisprudence Complex of the Muslim World League (MWL) under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The conference was concluded in Makkah.

In a key speech, MWL Secretary General Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for receiving the group of Ulema.

Dr. Al-Turki pointed out that a number of prominent Ulema from all over the world have, over five days, discussed major Fatwa areas and reached important results.

Since its foundation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is utterly keen to prevail the truth and justice, apply the Islamic Sharia and abide by the provisions of Allah the Almighty in all its works, especially in the area of Fatwa, stressing that Makkah Int'l Conference on Fatwa and its Controls is unique because it was held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

He said that all participants in the conference do appreciate the great stances of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, citing his position in the recently-concluded Arab Economic, development and social Summit in Kuwait, Makkah Extraordinary Islamic Conference, Madrid Conference for the followers of different religions, cultures and civilization and UN-sponsored New York conference on peace among religions.

He said the Kings of the Kingdom were and are following the instructions of late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"Now, you bear the responsibility in your hands, and all Muslims are looking forward to you to correct imbalances in the Arab nation and the Islamic Ummah", Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki added.

MWL Secretary General also stressed that the basis for reform is what always directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the adherence to religion, application of Islamic Sharia and that the Islamic Ummah and Arabs proceed at the forefront of this Ummah based on moderation of religion, pointing out that it is useful that the scholars and participants at the conference focused in their researches that Fatwa should follow the moderate way and turn away from provocation, conflicts, discord, irregular Fatwas and views which may negatively affect some young Muslims.

Dr. Al-Turki reaffirmed that the speech delivered lately at Kuwait Summit by the Custodian of the Holy Mosques had its great impact on all of us, particularly those who are keen on the advancement of the Islamic Ummah and overcoming its problems.

Concluding his speech, Dr. Al-Turki said that the King's stances by our brothers in Palestine, whether in respect to the great humanitarian aid or his distinct political stances in the past and the present towards this question is of interest to the scholars, who represent most of the Islamic nations and Muslim minorities, referring to their feelings and their prayer to Allah the Almighty to bestow victory on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and enable him undertake these great duties and tasks.

Addressing the audience, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomed the guests, wishing them a good stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

We have closely followed the good news of your conference, held by Mulsim World League, and I assure you that the conference's outcome, which focused on the importance of Fatwa and the role of Muftis in the Islamic nation, will be of great interest to the next Islamic summit conference, he said.

The monarch added that the training of scholars and muftis is an essential demand as Fatwa has its won requirements, wishing the media not to open doors wide for non-scholars to issue and publish their Fatwas in the press.

He underscored the role of scholars in illuminating the nation and fighting the deviating thought.

Preceding the King, Bosnia and Herzegovina Chief Ulema and Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Tayseer Tach and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti and Chief of Senior Ulema Commission; Religious Research Administration and Ifta and Chairman of the Constitutional Council of MWL, also addressed the session.

The audience was attended by Prince Mit'eb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Rural and Municipal Affairs; Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Homaid, Chairman of the Shoura Council; and senior protocol officials.

The deans and professors of Islamic universities, who participated in the International Conference for Fatwa and Its Rules, held in Makkah, expressed their appreciation for the initiatives undertaken by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.

In statements to Saudi Press Agency, they stressed that these initiatives are based on an overall Islamic perspective, noting that these have retained the Umma's unification endeavors.

They also commended the King's keenness as regards the importance of authentic fatwas. They also praised his special emphasis on the need for unified and recognized fatwas.

Dr. Rajab, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies in Kosovo noted that, "The fact that King Abdullah sponsorship of such conferences enhances the role of religious scholars and leads to the organization of Muslim lives in accordance with Sharia Law".

Dr. Rajab also added that, "The King's wisdom will eventually lead to the achievement of the nation's goals as well as its unification".

Sheikh Shamsaddin Dhiya'a, professor of Jurisprudence from Bangladesh, praised the King's unshaken stand on the importance of unifying the nation as well as his sincere endeavors to unify ranks, citing his speech at the economic summit held recently in Kuwait.

It’s worth mentioning that the conference, organized by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, addressed the religious fatwa issues. The conference which was attended by prominent religious scholars from across the Muslim world, stressed the need for the unification of fatwas as well as recognized fatwa authorities.

Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim, Vice Rector of American university and Dr. Mohammad Zuhaili, Professor of Jurisprudence, Sharia College, Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, also lauded the King's endeavors and highlighted sincere efforts as regards these unification initiatives that are being pursued by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in this context.

The five-day Fatwa and its Regulation conference organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) was to address the crafting and issuing of fatwas in the modern age, when complex matters and the rapid dissemination of rulings over the Internet have led to contradictory and controversial opinions by those interpreting Sharia, or Islamic law.

Conference organizers said they hoped to come out with overall guidelines for issuing fatwas, as Islam has no central authority to issue fatwas.

"Some people make their fatwas on issues that they do not know in-depth and without due consideration for the Sharia requirements," MWL Secretary General Abdullah Al-Turki said.

"Issuing a fatwa is a very serious matter as it involves making a decision on the basis of the law laid down by Allah and explained by the prophet," Turki said, according to the local daily Arab News.

Fatwas are opinions or rulings which can cover minor and major matters of life and are issued by Islamic scholars and clerics based on interpretation of the Koran and centuries of Islamic thought.

In countries like Saudi Arabia where Sharia is the basis of the law, they can be used for judgment in court cases.

Their scope ranges from issues of financial dealings and medical treatment to what clothes a Muslim woman must wear and to declarations against alleged enemies of Islam.

In 1989 for instance, Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the killing of British Indian novelist Salman Rushdie for his book "The Satanic Verses", leading to Rushdie living in hiding for many years.

In 1998 Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, who is not a cleric, issued a fatwa calling for Muslims to kill Americans and their allies.

Fatwas have also become troublesome for governments. In late December the Saudi government arrested Sheikh Awad al-Qarni after he issued a fatwa calling for attacks on Israelis in retaliation for the Jewish state's assault on the Gaza Strip.

Saleh bin Zaben al Marzouki, head of the Muslim World League's Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence) Academy, said that unqualified clerics had harmed Islamic law with their fatwas, according to a statement on the league's website.

The heads and secretaries of Islamic Fiqh (Jurisprudence) academies who participated in the ''World Conference of Fatwa (Religious Rule), Its Conditions" have affirmed that the initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, emanate from Islamic perspectives, and that these are considered as essential factors in achieving the interests of Arab and Islamic nations.

In statements to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) upon departure for their countries, they commended the King's keenness in his speech on the correct Fatwa (Religious Rule) and his affirmation that the role of Muslim scholars is essential in enlightening the nation and fighting the deviating thought.

They noted that the care and attention paid by the King for Muslim scholars and muftis will promote and enhance religious principles in Muslim societies.

The academies' heads and secretaries included Head of Sudanese Islamic Fiqh Academy and Advisor to President Dr. Ahmed Ali Al-Imam; Vice President of Islamic Fiqh Academy in India Sheikh Badr Al-Hassani Al-Qassemi; President of Islamic Fiqh Council in North America Dr. Muzzammel Siddiqi; Former Secretary General of International Islamic Fiqh Academy, an affiliate of Organization of Islamic Conference Sheikh Mohammed Al-Habib Balkhojah; President of Fiqh Scholars Academy in America Sheikh Dr. Hussein Hamed Hassan, and Executive Director of World Forum of Muslim Scholars Dr. Saad bin Ali Al-Shahrani.

The 7th Intellectual Security Forum was held within the framework of prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz research chair for intellectual security under the slogan "Educational Strategy for Ideological Security". It focused on the importance of intellectual security in enlightening individuals and societies towards the threats of terror and terrorists on the society.

The forum aims to attract the workers in the education field and educational leaders from all regions in the kingdom. The main topics include homeland security and terrorism threat, educational vision for intellectual security, internet utilization for knowledge and science.

The forum was attended by sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Alsheikh the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Yusuf Alrumaih professor of criminology, Dr. Saad Albreik staff member in teachers college, and Dr. Fayez Alshehri staff member in king Fahd security college.