By IINA,
Makkah : As many as 170 prominent Islamic scholars and muftis from various parts of the world are taking part in a major international conference on issuing Fatwas (religious edicts) set to begin here today. On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al Faisal will inaugurate the event at the headquarters of the Muslim World League (MWL). The conference, which is aimed at defining Shariah rules for issuing Fatwas, is organized by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, an affiliate of MWL. Dr. Saleh bin Zabin Al Marzouki, secretary general of the Fiqh Academy, said the conference is aimed at issuing a Fatwa Charter defining the Shariah rules governing issuing of Fatwas.
Major topics to be discussed by the conference include collective Ijtihad and its importance in today’s world, danger of odd rulings, Fatwa and its importance, alteration of a Fatwa, Fatwa reinforcing established facts in Shariah, fabrication, ruling and mechanism of Fatwa, and issuing Fatwas on satellite channels. He said the major reason behind the convening of the conference is to highlight the dangers posed by the spread of the odd Fatwas which violate the proper rules and principles governing issuing of authentic Fatwas.
Dr. Abdullah Al Turki, secretary general of MWL, said the scholars participating in the conference will give due attention to the Gaza issue and the barbaric and inhumane massacres being carried out by Israel in Gaza. “By these crimes Israel is targeting the entire Arab and Muslim nations,” he said.
Dr. Al Turki said that the participants will discuss shortage of muftis in some Islamic countries and the possibility of providing these countries with credible and qualified muftis. He expressed his thanks to King Abdullah for patronizing this world conference, pointing out that this patronage will give the strength to the conference and contribute to the achievement of its objectives.