http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050310/323/fe375.html Spanish Muslims issue fatwa against Al-Qaeda's Osama Bin Laden MADRID (AFX) - Spain's Islamic Commission, which groups the nation's Muslim community, said it was issuing a fatwa against Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, 'We are going to issue a fatwa (religious decree) against Bin Laden this afternoon,' Mansour Escudero, who leads the Federation of Islamic religious entities (Feeri) and co-secretary general of the Spanish governmenmt-created Commission told AFP. The Commission invited Spanish-based imams to condemn terrorism at Friday prayers, when the whole country will be remembering the 191 people who were killed in the train blasts and the 1,900 injured a year ago. The attacks have been blamed on mainly Moroccan Islamic extremists loyal to Bin Laden. 'We have called on imams to make a formal declaration condemning terrorism and for a special prayer for all the victims of terrorism,' Escudero said. The Commission has also drawn up a document designed to 'thank the Spanish people and the government for their attitude towards Muslims' since last March 11, in particular for not taking 'disproportionate' measures similar to those which the Sept 11 attacks sparked in the US. The Commission called on Muslims to take part in Friday's commemorative programme being organised by Spanish authorities and community groups and to work with them to ensure terrorism was defeated.
'We have called on imams to make a formal declaration condemning terrorism and for a special prayer for all the victims of terrorism,' wow they are really making a bold statement here.
Those Spanish Muslims aren't Muslims in Bin Laden's eyes. Much like the collateral damage incurred in previous attacks, they're either with him or against him.
Somewhat related...... <a HREF="http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/nation/11062020.htm">Britain's mainstream Muslims emerge as stronger voice</a>
I haven't heard from them, which is usually a sign that they are having a DAMN good time. They are pretty experienced, savvy travellers. I worry about them more when they are here than when they are overseas.
Nice to see that the Muslim community is starting to speak out. They probably feel empowered a bit more these days. DD
you can't issue a 'fatwa' against a person. a fatwa is a legal opinion. you can declare him a non muslim. you can declare him a heretic. but you can't just 'issue a fatwa against him'.
I'm sure the actual text of the fatwa is somewhat more complex than "against bin Laden". I would imagine that it is a fatwa against the teachings and actions of bin Laden's brand of militant Islam. I think you could, technically, issue a fatwa against a person as was done with Rushdie if they were in violation of the law. It would sort of be like a court judgment where the judge pronounces a guilty verdict. Of course, there is no trial & no formal charges, but otherwise it's the same. I find the whole concept of the Fatwa to be interesting when compared with the historical legal traditions of the Roman/Byzantine world and the Germanic world. In many ways, the system is like issuing a court judgment that goes to the jury afterwards and the power of the issuer is altered by feedback from how well the fatwa is received. It's the most informal legal system ever, but it does bear some similarity to the concepts of Germanic law of trial by jury. In Roman law, the judge was the final arbiter & truth everywhere was a result of their judgment. Germanic law used juries to reach consensus, but this could result in biased judgments, where disliked people/groups were persecuted. I would imagine, that as with many early Western legal institutions, the Islamic system probably was much more effective in a world of small communities with similar cultures. The Fatwa, however, isn't really as different as those the Western ones evolved into. It's just so much more informal about the concept of "bringing charges" against someone.
agreed. one of the great mysteries of all time. maybe shes into 'bad boys'. i guess nothing screams 'bad boy' more than having about a couple million people wanting you dead
Well, he doesn't have much going on in the looks area either. Other than the <i>Bad Boy</i> angle, no way to explain it.
