North American Muslims Issue Fatwa Against Terrorism

The Associated Press reports that North American Muslims issued a fatwa against terrorism:

In the fatwa, the 18-member Fiqh Council of North America wrote that people who commit terrorism in the name of Islam were "criminals, not 'martyrs':"

"There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism," the scholars wrote. "Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or forbidden."

According to the Associated Press, the fatwa did not specifically address suicide bombings in a war, but the scholars barred Muslims from helping anyone "involved in any act of terrorism or violence." The council also declared that Muslims were obligated to help law enforcement officials protect civilians:

"It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities," according to the Fiqh Council. The term "fiqh" refers to Islamic legal issues and understanding the faith's religious law.

[. . .]

"We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism," the scholars wrote. "We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all inhabitants of our planet."

I have not yet been able to find a copy of the fatwa, only press releases saying it would be issued at 10:30 this morning. I'll post it when I find it.

"North American Muslims" are nearly four years late on this. California Yankee suggested American Muslims do something like this in June.

UPDATE: I have posted the text of the fatwa here:

The Washington Post also covered the fact that the fatwa against terrorism was going to be issued. Unfortunately the Post buried the story on page 11. Such an important development deserves much more attention.

This post has been linked to today's Beltway Traffic Jam.