1,800 Pakistani religious scholars declare suicide bombings 'haram' in new fatwa

[Devil Soul]

1,800 Pakistani religious scholars declare suicide bombings 'haram' in new fatwa
By Reuters
Published: January 16, 2018
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A woman holds a candle and a Pakistani flag as she takes part in a protest against terrorism in Islamabad. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: More than 1,800 Pakistani religious scholars have issued an Islamic directive, or fatwa, forbidding suicide bombings, a book due to be unveiled by the government on Tuesday says.

The country has for years been plagued by violence, and militants often use suicide bombers and preach that their struggle is a holy war to impose Islamic rule.

Suicide attacks are frequently condemned as fanatical and immoral, especially when civilians are killed, but insurgents view the tactic as their most effective weapon.

Suicide attacks, insurgency against state declared ‘haram’

Seeking to curb terrorism that has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties since the early 2000s, the clerics declared suicide bombings to be forbidden, or “haraam”.

“This Fatwa provides a strong base for the stability of a moderate Islamic society,” President Mamnoon Hussain wrote in the book.

“We can seek guidance from this Fatwa for building a national narrative in order to curb extremism in keeping with the golden principles of Islam.”

Foreign and domestic critics of Pakistan’s government and military accuse them of cozying up to radical groups for political and military purposes and say the state has for too long turned a blind eye to hate preachers in mosques.

Suicide attack the biggest sin in Islam: Fatwa

Pakistani officials deny frequent US allegations about collaborating with militant proxies in Afghanistan and India, and say vast gains have been made over the past decade against militant outfits.

But privately, they also warn any moves against some popular hardline groups based in Pakistan would take a long time to subdue and need to be undertaken carefully.

Similar fatwas appear to have yielded scant results in the Middle East, where the practice is used by Islamic State and other militant groups.

The Pakistani scholars, who declared that “no individual or group has the authority to declare and wage jihad (holy war)”, said suicide bombings violate key Islamic teachings and were as such forbidden.

The book was prepared by the state-run International Islamic University and Hussain was due at a ceremony to mark the book’s release in Islamabad on Tuesday.

 

[Baby Leone]

we already knew that no need a fatwa for ths.

 

[Imran Khan]

Baki 1524277 molviyoon ka baap mara hai hum ne jo chup hain

 

[El Sidd]

Shukar hai istanje or takhno se upar ki bhi samajh agayi hai

 

[Hareeb]

TTP and other terrorist groups dont even have basic knowledge of Islam keep aside Quran and its teachings.

 

[Zibago]

we already knew that no need a fatwa for ths.

Na ji una horaan aley khwab aney

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Dman those are some thirsty molvis.

Na ji una horaan aley khwab aney

Seriously tho they were just doing what hassan sabah used to do.

 

[YeBeWarned]

Baki 1524277 molviyoon ka baap mara hai hum ne jo chup hain

Prominent Mullah's bhai , we have a Mullah in every Local mosque issuing Fatwa's but his circle of Influence is not that huge as these 1800's ..

 

[xyxmt]

This seems like a Jewish conspiracy, how come we could never get 10 molvis to agree in one issue let alone 1800

 

[BannuTorkham]

and whoever who shall not abide by the fatwa shall be bombed himself.. khi khi khii

 

[Asad-Ali]

Bari dair ki Meherbaan aate aate

 

[Mitro]

remaining moulvies are terrorist supporter wearing salwar below the knee and shaving mustache and keeping their kurtas button open arrogant khawarij.

 

[alibaz]

Many congratulations to all those who have been involved in the process and to all those scholars from all schools of thoughts for such a commendable act.

Govt unveils 'Paigham-i-Pakistan' fatwa against terrorism

Political party leaders and religious scholars called for unity and a unanimous narrative to counter terrorism in Pakistan at a ceremony announcing the 'Paigham-i-Pakistan' fatwa in Islamabad on Tuesday.

President Mamnoon Hussain, while speaking at the ceremony, expressed confidence that the unanimous fatwa issued by religious scholars belonging to various schools of thought would help address the challenges posed by terrorism, extremism and sectarianism, Radio Pakistan reported.

Issuing a fatwa drafted by means of a consultative process is a step in the right direction, the president said, adding that it would portray a "soft and positive image of Pakistan" and highlight Islam as a religion of peace, brotherhood, tolerance and accommodation.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, while addressing participants of the ceremony, underlined the urgent need for Muslim nations to progress and have something positive to show over the next 400 years, and touted the fatwa as a means to obtain national unity.

"If we want to correct our direction for the future, it is necessary that society is peaceful and stable because without them we cannot embark on this journey. We must introspect and look within instead of hypothesising about conspiracies. We need to be ready and accountable in order to undertake this journey," he said.

"Pakistan was not created so it could be just one more addition to a list of the world's poorest countries. It is necessary to show the world that even in this modern day and age, the Muslims of South Asia have the ability to form a successful nation on the basis of Islamic principles," he stressed.

"It is a matter of concern that after 70 years, the dream for Pakistan, the dignity and justice we had to provide the nation, were not realised. All of this is only possible when the ethos of a nation or group of people is apparent to them," he said.

"When the nation ceases to believe in self-reliance and its narrative pertaining to itself is scattered, then it becomes a group of people who have differences with each other. When differences are prevalent, then the outcome is that which we are seeing today," he said.

"The fatwa will provide a platform for national unity... So that in the 21st century, we can make Pakistan a distinguished country, an Asian tiger, and bring the Quaid's dream to fruition," he claimed.

"We have been fighting regional conflict, and the events we face today are not completely of our doing. To a great extent, the world powers who fought the Soviet Union are responsible," Iqbal said.

"But when the Soviet lost in Afghanistan, the world powers dusted off their hands and disappeared, leaving behind piles of weapons and the poorest segments of those societies," he said.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif at the ceremony urged the nation to own the narrative the fatwa is based on, and to back all national institutions that are working against terrorism.

"With this narrative, we make it clear to the entire world that all national institutions are united against terrorism," Asif said.

"We have rejected all forms of terrorism and extremism," he asserted.

"The land of Pakistan at no time shall be allowed to be used for the propagation of any kind of terrorism," he said, adding that this included training and recruitment of terrorists, along with execution of terror activities in other countries "and other such ulterior motives".

The outcomes of this narrative will be evident to the nation soon, Asif vowed.

Speaking to APP on the eve of the unveiling of the Paigham-i-Pakistan, religious scholars had urged collective efforts by state institutions, within the ambit of the Constitution, to cleanse society of the menaces of extremism and terrorism.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said that "all religious parties and scholars are with the state and Constitution for the welfare of people.

Religious scholar Maulana Rafi Usmani described the unveiling of the narrative as 'historic'. He said that scholars from all sects had deliberated over each word in the document for months before preparing a decree.

"We hope that the Paigham-i-Pakistan will help improve the present situation in the country and set a future course to lead the nation to a destination of peace and prosperity," he added.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1383306/govt-unveils-paigham-i-pakistan-fatwa-against-terrorism

 

[Wolfhunter]

This is a good thing, but you have to ask, was i Halal before?

 

[MultaniGuy]

A good initiative. At least it tells the world that Muslims are against suicide bombings in all forms.

I heard suicide bombing is only allowed as a war tactic in a war scenario.