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Anorak News | Abu Dhabi Clamps Down On Fatwa Chaos

Abu Dhabi Clamps Down On Fatwa Chaos

by | 6th, April 2009

ABU DHABI – land of sand – is putting an end to Fatwa Chaos.

The National reports that Abu Dhabi’s big knobs are seeking an end to “fatwa chaos”.

Legislation proposed by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) and awaiting cabinet approval, would bring in a more “unified” approach across the emirates.

“Unifying fatwa as well as controlling its sources and providing well informed reference for it is the main goal of this project,” Dr Mohammed al Kaabi, the Awqaf director-general, said in a statement.

In the past there had been “fatwa chaos”, he said, in which unqualified sources had issued edicts in mosques, or even via satellite television channels and other media.

Adding:

“We have seen uncontrolled fatwas which do not represent the core of authentic Islam,” the statement added. “They are the result of a wrong and unrealistic recognition of the Umma [Muslim world] and its needs. The main goal is to get rid of the chaotic fatwa and organise all its types either in mosques, newspapers, magazines, audio-visual media or others.”

You can’t have fatwas popping up willy nilly.

Last August, a major step towards standardising national fatwa procedures was taken with the launch of a dedicated fatwa centre. This is staffed by muftis who take calls from the public seeking clarification on religious topics.

A fatwa by committee. Says one local:

“Sometimes you’ll hear the most ridiculous fatwas being made, and they are circulated in the media but people don’t realise that the people who issued them are not really authorised to do so.”

Adds another:

“I remember when I heard about the fatwa where women were barred from using the internet without a ‘muhram’ [male relative] because it might be easier for her to commit a sin if there was no one surfing the internet with us,” she said.

“And I was thinking to myself, ‘How did this scholar even think of this idea?’”

Maybe he read it on the web?



Posted: 6th, April 2009 | In: Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink