By IINA,
Makkah : The International Conference on Fatwa and Its Regulations, which concluded at the headquarters of the Muslim World League (MWL) here yesterday, called the struggle of Palestinians in Gaza in self defense is a legitimate one. “This is also a religious obligation and a human right that is endorsed not only by all the Shariah principles but also by the international laws and human traditions,” they said. Some 170 Islamic scholars made this Fatwa at the end of a four-day meeting, organized by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, an affiliate of MWL. The scholars approved a “Fatwa Charter,” which consists of a number of recommendations, and will serve as a guideline on the issuing of Fatwas.
In a final communiqué, the conference said that it is obligatory for Muslims to lend a hand of support to their oppressed brothers in Gaza through various legitimate means and agencies at all levels. While stressing the need for sending urgent humanitarian aid, including foodstuffs and medicine, to the people of Gaza, the scholars also called for taking all the possible steps for the prosecution of the Israeli aggressors in Gaza as war criminals in line with the humanitarian principles and international agreements. The scholars also appreciated the support of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz for the Palestinian cause and the people of Gaza, his allocation of $1 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza, his care for the injured and his keenness during Kuwait’s Arab Economic Summit to unify ranks of Arabs.
The communiqué explained major features of the Fatwa Charter, which consists of three chapters and 41 articles. It highlighted the significance of Fatwa in Islam and its regulations and set the mufti’s conditions and duties. The scholars also stressed moderation in Fatwa and detailed the problems facing Fatwa and its negative effects. The scholars made general recommendations for supporting Fatwa and its institutions in the Islamic Ummah.
The conference called on institutions that teach Islamic law to incorporate the basic principles and guidelines for Fatwas in their curricula. It also recommended that these institutions organize frequent panel discussions and meetings to familiarize scholars with the principles of the right method of issuing Fatwas and to warn against the dangers of issuing ill-prepared rulings.