Muslim clerics in Spain issue fatwa against bin Laden

Associated Press March 10, 2005

MADRID, Spain — Muslim clerics in Spain issued what they called the world's first fatwa, or Islamic edict, against Osama bin Laden on Thursday, the first anniversary of the Madrid train bombings, calling him an apostate and urging others of their faith to denounce the al-Qaida leader.

The ruling was issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain, the main body representing the country's 1 million-member Muslim community. The commission represents 200 or so mostly Sunni mosques, or about 70 percent of all mosques in Spain.

The March 11, 2004, train bombings killed 191 people and were claimed in videotapes by militants who said they had acted on al-Qaida's behalf in revenge for Spain's troop deployment in Iraq.

The commission's secretary general, Mansur Escudero, said the group had consulted with Muslim leaders in other countries, such as Morocco — home to most of the jailed suspects in the bombings — Algeria and Libya, and had their support.

"They agree,'' Escudero said, referring to the Muslim leaders in the three North African countries. "What I want is that they say so publicly.''

The fatwa said that according to the Quran "the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his organization al-Qaida ... are totally banned and must be roundly condemned as part of Islam.''

It added: "Inasmuch as Osama bin Laden and his organization defend terrorism as legal and try to base it on the Quran ... they are committing the crime of 'istihlal' and thus become apostates that should not be considered Muslims or treated as such.'' The Arabic term 'istihlal' refers to the act of making up one's own laws.

Escudero said a fatwa can be issued by any Muslim leader who leads prayer sessions and as he serves such a role, he himself lawfully issued the edict.

He called it an unprecedented condemnation of bin Laden. "We felt now we had the responsibility and obligation to make this declaration,'' he said in an interview.

"I hope there is a positive reaction from Muslims,'' he added.

Asked if the edict meant Muslims had to help police try to arrest the world's most wanted man — who is believed to be hiding along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan — Escudero said: "We don't get involved in police affairs but we do feel that all Muslims are obliged to ... keep anyone from doing unjustified damage to other people.''

link: http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5285099.html

Mark
Columbia

Tragedy in Southeast Asia

Before I post about the tragedy in Indonesia and points beyond, let me first say that Dartmouth College is proud to join the Ivy League Republican Blog. I am encouraged to see the GOP doing quite well on all of our campuses.

Regarding the tragedy in Southeast Asia, the AP reports that the United States has already pledged an initial $15 Million in aid toward the rescue and recovery effort currently underway. Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke with leaders of several countries in the region to pledge his support and offer condolences while President Bush monitors the situation from his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Because I find it distasteful to be overtly political on issues of tragedy, I will say that I am very proud of the United States for leading by example. I have long felt that we are obliged as leaders in the world to help those countries who are poor and require our assistance. In my view, this demonstrates the very best of American virtue and generosity.

Some might assert that we have little to gain by offering our support to these small countries, but to me our assistance demonstrates the compassion of the American people. Although, we have our own fiscal problems, helping those struck by tragedy and who are less fortunate, is just the right thing to do. In the mean time, it only seems appropriate that we offer our thoughts and prayers to the people of Southeast Asia, coping with tremendous loss.

Tory
Dartmouth