Islamism - 5

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Mecca pact heralds Shia-Sunni amity </b>
Mecca, Oct. 22: Prominent Shia and Sunni religious scholars from Iraq took the first major step in decades toward mutual recognition of one another as acceptable versions of the same faith at a historic meeting in Mecca early on Saturday. Analysts say the reconciliation pact will herald a new era in Shia-Sunni ties worldwide.

<b>In a joint declaration, signed at the Royal Al-Safa Palace overlooking the Holy Ka’aba, the religious scholars called for a complete end to the sectarian killings in Iraq that have recently assumed horrific proportions. Meeting under the auspices of the Jeddah-based Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the Shia and Sunni scholars called on Iraqis in unambiguous terms to stand united in protecting the independence, unity and territorial integrity of their country</b>.

“This is necessary,” they said, “in order to put an end to the (foreign) occupation of Iraq.” The declaration produced by the scholars contains a ruling which clearly forbids Shias and Sunnis from killing each other. Essentially a fatwa, the ruling is based on eight key points. <b>The most important is: “The Muslim is he who professes his faith by proclaiming ŒLailaha Illallah Muhammad Rasulullah (There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Prophet). </b>

By this statement, the Muslim embrac-es and accepts the five pillars of Islam and the central tenets of its faith, thus rendering his blood and property inviolable.” “These fundamental principles,” the declaration said, “apply equally to the Sunni and the Shia without exception. The differences between the two schools of thought are merely differences of opinion and interpretation and not essential
differences of faith.”

The declaration states that no follower of either school may expel or declare another an unbeliever or in any other way cast aspersions on the faith of a follower of a different school. The grounds for the ruling are based on a statement by Prophet Mohammed: “If ever one of you calls his brother: You infidel, one of them shall come out the infidel and bear the onus thereof.”

The declaration reiterates that all houses of worship are sacrosanct, including mosques and non-Muslim houses of worship of all faiths and religions. “Therefore,” the declaration states, “these places of worship may not be attacked, appropriated, or in any other way used as a haven to perpetrate acts in contravention of Shariah.” The declaration rules that certain things and principles should never be forfeited, including, in particular, unity, cohesion, cooperation and solidarity in piety and righteousness.

“It is incumbent upon all Muslims to adopt caution and vigilance against all attempts to sow division among them, break their ranks, or incite sedition, strife, and hatred in order to corrupt their divine and spiritual bonds with each other.” The Iraqi scholars appealed to Muslim scholars worldwide to support the ruling and urged the Muslims of Iraq to adhere to it.

“We pray to Almighty God, on this sacred soil and blessed grounds, to protect and preserve the faith of all Muslims, ensure the safety of our homeland, and bring the Arab-Muslim country of Iraq out of its plight, end its trials and tribulations, and reinstate Iraq as a fortress and pillar of the Muslim Ummah in the face of its enemies.” The declaration has received full approval and endorsement from key Shia and Sunni leaders, most notably from Sheikh Muhammad Syed Tantawi, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani and Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.
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