NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, it appears that the recent multiple bombings in Varanasi and subsequent failed bombings in Mumbai (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1446181.cms), have made atleast some clerics feel to say this in public for the first time. This is a welcome development and it must be encouraged to pull the fence sitters to this side rather than the islamist side.

March 12: Islamic clerics have for the first time in the country asked militant organisations not to name themselves after Prophet Mohammad.

The immediate provocation for the decree appears to be a claim by a little-known organisation, Lashkar-e-Qahar, that it was behind the Varanasi blasts.

The four fatwas, issued by leading clerics of Hyderabad, do not have binding powers but they reflect the eagerness of the community to prevent militant groups from besmirching the religion.

Issuing a fatwa, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Mastan Ali, who heads one of the largest seminaries of Islamic clerics in southern India — the Jamiat-ul-Mominath —said the militants were insulting the religion.

“Every time these outfits carry out anti-national or inhuman activities, they drag the holy names into the controversy. We demand that they drop the religious tag since what they are doing is not only irreligious but also against humanity,” the maulana added.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board general secretary, Abdur Rahim Qureshi, described the practice of militant outfits naming themselves after holy figures “un-Islamic and satanic”.

He said the Lashkar-e-Qahar, or Army of the Subduer, takes its name from Asma-ul-Husna, or the 99 other names of Allah. The Prophet is named after 99 virtues and al-Qahar is one of the attributes.

In separate decrees, the All-India Jamiat-ul-Mashaiq and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat have also decried the misuse of Islamic names for subversive activities.

The fourth one was issued by Maulana Syed Shah Badruddin Quadri al-Jeelani, the national president of Sunnat Jamaat, who said “the Muslim community in India is getting a bad name because of the wrong actions of organisations titled like that”.

In India, virtually all Islamic seats of learning have rejected terrorism but have refrained from issuing fatwas. The reluctance arose mainly because of the non-binding nature and a tendency among some clerics to issue fatwas on trivial issues.

Moderate scholars like Muslim personal law board chief Maulana Rabey Nadvi are averse to the cult of fatwas.

However, the senior clerics of Hyderabad have made an exception, keeping in mind the outrage over the Varanasi blasts within the community and the potential of the attacks to stoke communal passions.

Woot!

Waitwaitwait...they're finally calling these Islamo-facist dicks on their hypocrisy and heresy/whatever? NICE!

Excellent.

Sad though that this thread will die quickly, just as those supposedly defending our oh so virtuous culture might just overlook it and keep asking why moderate Muslims aren't saying anything.

^true. We can fight against islamists. But we cannot fight the misrepresentation of islam by islamists. This is something that muslims themselves alone can do and it is something that they must do.

IMHO, for all my "knowledge" of Islam, I am still an outsider, a non-practitioner.

Excellent.

Sad though that this thread will die quickly, just as those supposedly defending our oh so virtuous culture might just overlook it and keep asking why moderate Muslims aren't saying anything.

They shouldn't be called "moderate Muslims," because they aren't necessary moderate. Liberal, moderate, conservative, ultra-reactionary, no one likes al-Qaeda style terrorism, from the people in charge of Iran to the people in the ultra-secular Arab Communist parties.

They shouldn't be called "moderate Muslims," because they aren't necessary moderate. Liberal, moderate, conservative, ultra-reactionary, no one likes al-Qaeda style terrorism, from the people in charge of Iran to the people in the ultra-secular Arab Communist parties.
True. Should've been more specific.

But it does bug me that people keep saying "But the normal Muslims don't speak out against Terrorism!", when they do all the time, just that it doesn't get reported with anywhere near the same gusto.

But it does bug me that people keep saying "But the normal Muslims don't speak out against Terrorism!", when they do all the time, just that it doesn't get reported with anywhere near the same gusto.

Exactly. But as you say, that doesn't sell copy for the media. Same way successes in Iraq don't. ;)

L,

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1648916,0015002500030002.htm
THE FATWA demand against the terrorists behind terror strike in Varanasi on March 7 gained momentum on Sunday with some Muslim religious heads and a lyricist of repute Javed Akhtar supporting the demand, saying the fatwa should be announced against perpetrators of the terror acts.

Responding to some Muslims’ demand who sat on a dharna on the city’s busy Lahurabir crossing, demanding fatwa against the terrorists behind the serial blasts, Syed Shah Fazal-a-Rehman, Imaam of Teele Wali mosque in Lucknow said,” The Quran is clear on such issues. It is against violence and does not permit such heinous acts”. He added, “I support the demand for fatwa against those behind the terror acts and even support execution of the perpetrators of the blasts in full public view”.“I have urged the Chief Minister of UP to step up investigation and get the attackers identified and ensure they are executed on the road in full public view”, Rehman added.

“The bombers are neither Hindus nor Muslims—they are ‘Shaitan’—infidels”, Rehman, who visited the blast site at Sankat Mochan temple told reporters on Sunday.

Stating that those responsible for the terror acts were jealous of India’s economic progress, noted lyricist Javed Akhar, who too visited the blast site at Sankat Mochan temple, supported the demand for fatwa against the perperators of the terrorist acts. However, he was quick to add that fatwa should be announced even against those who announced fatwas.

Lashing out at terrorists for resorting to heinous crimes, Akhtar put it in a famous couplet: ‘Jo Mujh Ko Zinda Jala Raha Hai Woh Bekhabar Hai Ki Dheere Dheere Meri Zanjeer Pighal Rahi Hai— Kabbhi To Insaan Zindagi Ki Karega Izzat, Yeh Ummeed Aaj Bhi Mere Dil Me Pal Rahi Hai’.

Talking to reporters at the temple premises, Mufti Banaras Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani said that holy Quran was very clear on fatwa against those who perperated acts of terror. “ If the people give the demand in writing, certainly fatwa will be announced against the ultras”, he told reporters.

Javed Akhtar, along with Swami Agnivesh and controversial human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, also carried out a peace march in the town.

And

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1648912,0015002500030002.htm
Muslims continue to organise protest dharnas and rallies against terrorism and the serial blasts in the city, some prominent Muslim faces set a unique example by visiting Sankat Mochan temple and paying obeisance before Lord Hanuman.

Eminent lyricist Javed Akhtar, Mufti-e- Banaras Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani and Syed Shah Fazal-a-Rehman, Imaam of Teele Wali mosque in Lucknow were among a large number of Muslims who paid their obeisance at the temple and showered flowers at the blast site inside the temple.
..
Maulana Mufti Batin Nomani took prasad from the priest at the temple symbolising communal harmony in the town.

I welcome these sort of things, but the cynic in me cannot help but wonder if this is just taqiyya brought on by fear of backlash a la Gujarat after the train burnings in Godhra. No muslim leader/intellectual/chatterati spoke against the train killings which sparked off the riots.

*India recieves Mariekudos*

I really, really hope this is indicative of more and more decent, normal muslims refusing to tolerate the militant extreme minority that catches more attention.
Much the same in America, where one extremist branch of an otherwise decent, peaceful religion, causes havoc and spews hatred at funerals.

Zealotism is fucking dangerous, and always will be.
I dont understand what it is that causes a person to be consumed by an agenda, or mission of any kind.

I applaud these muslim clerics who condemn violence and idiocy in the name of anything holy.
I wish it were far more of a common occurence.

I welcome these sort of things, but the cynic in me cannot help but wonder if this is just taqiyya brought on by fear of backlash a la Gujarat after the train burnings in Godhra. No muslim leader/intellectual/chatterati spoke against the train killings which sparked off the riots.
Yes, it's hard not to be cynical, but maybe this should get filed under "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." If it's the beginning of a good trend, then motives won't matter in the long run. People of good will should take it and make the best they can of it.