Some 200 religious scholars have issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against suicide attacks.
The decree, issued at a conference in the eastern city of Lahore on May 17, described such attacks as haram (forbidden) under Shari'a law.
It also said the philosophy behind the Islamic State group,Tehreek-e-Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other extremist groups was un-Islamic and based on ignorance.
According to the decree, protecting non-Muslims is mandatory for an Islamic state.
It also said those who oppose polio immunization campaigns are "misguided people" and those who kill female health workers as "the worst criminals."
Militants frequently target medical workers involved in dispensing polio vaccinations in Pakistan, contributing to an increase in polio cases in the country.
Attacks on Pakistan's religious minority groups have also been increasing in recent years.
Pakistan clerics declare suicide attacks 'un-Islamic'
Monday, 18 May 2015 - 5:00pm IST | Place: Lahore | Agency: PTI
The fatwa also declared those opposing anti-polio drive and killing the women health workers as the "worst criminals".
Representational Image File Photo
At least 200 religious scholars in Pakistan have issued a fatwa terming suicide attacks as "un-Islamic" and said the Islamic governments are bound to crush rebel groups like the Taliban, ISIS and al-Qaeda.
"Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab and other such so-called Jihadi outfit's philosophy is misleading. Their functioning is un-Islamic and thinking based on poor knowledge of Islam," said the fatwa issued by clerics belonging to different Islamic sects after a conference held here yesterday.
"The Jihad methodology of these outfits (are) against Islamic conditions for Jihad and that the elements involved in sectarian killings are guilty of 'fasad' (violence) as Islam does not allow any killing in the name of sect and the Islamic governments are bound to crush such rebels," it said.
The fatwa also declared those opposing anti-polio drive and killing the women health workers as the "worst criminals". The Taliban are opposed to anti-polio drive and have killed scores of polio workers, including women.
The fatwa also said that attacks on worship places of the non-Muslims are the worst sins and heinous crimes while protection of non-Muslims is mandatory for an Islamic state. The conference's coordinator Mualana Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi said the clerics also decided to observe coming Friday (May 22) as 'Peace and Love Day' by delivering sermons in 400,000 mosques against unlawful killings and that an Ulema (clerics) board would also be established to counter the narrative of extremist and terrorist organizations like Taliban and ISIS.
"An Eradicate Terrorism and Save Country movement will also be launched," he said. The clerics from different schools of thoughts earlier had also issued a fatwa against suicide attacks but there has been no let up in them.
Militants do not follow rule book of engagement. They don't have the means nor numbers to wage a conventional war. They adopt these low level attacks for maximum damage. You think they will abide by fatwas.
Militants do not follow rule book of engagement. They don't have the means nor numbers to wage a conventional war. They adopt these low level attacks for maximum damage. You think they will abide by fatwas.
Not only lives but also destruction of economy. ....And what is contribution of Mullahs towards progress of Pakistan instead of debate on halal & Haram products.
Not only lives but also destruction of economy. ....And what is contribution of them towards progress of Pakistan instead of debate on halal & Haram products.
Militants do not follow rule book of engagement. They don't have the means nor numbers to wage a conventional war. They adopt these low level attacks for maximum damage. You think they will abide by fatwas.
Its a collection of psychopaths and murderers on the payroll of whoever. They managed to dupe people in FATA and these scholars because they are born stupid.
Their only aim is to make money from drugs, extortion and target killings or do what the highest bidder says. Its as simple as that. If it means an unstable Pakistan then even better because they can carry on with their business ventures.
These so called scholars still do not understand whats going on and issue their egotiscial self important fatwas when they are meaningless in the wider context. In the interest of Pakistan the state these morons should all be arrested and investigated for harboring terrorists.
Not only lives but also destruction of economy. ....And what is contribution of Mullahs towards progress of Pakistan instead of debate on halal & Haram products.
Were they more educated they could have been asked to contribute...But how much do you expect from those who are only "religious" because they are the oldest in the area or coz their great great great grandfather did something good?
Their only aim is to make money from drugs, extortion and target killings or do what the highest bidder says. Its as simple as that. If it means an unstable Pakistan then even better because they can carry on with their business ventures.
These so called scholars still do not understand whats going on and issue their egotiscial self important fatwas when they are meaningless in the wider context.
Yet soo many cry and ask where are the fatwahs now? Where are the people speaking against it? You people seriously ask where are the RELIGIOUS LEADERS and their fatwahs ....now we have that now you want them dead?
Man you people seriously have a never ending appetite of ungratefulness?!
The channel quoted Tahir Ashrafi saying suicide attacks are “unacceptable in Pakistan but legitimate in Afghanistan as it is occupied by the United States, like Kashmir by India and Palestine by Israel.”
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