Baptists and Muslim clerics may not agree on all topics, but there is at least one issue both groups strongly oppose — terrorism.
On Nov. 30, the Fiqh Council of North America, an affiliate of the Islamic Society of North America, issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Islamic terrorism. The group hopes this decree will build on the recently completed Mideast peace talks and a Vatican invitation to meet with Muslim leaders, according to Religion News Service.
Chairman Muzammil H. Siddiqi said some 500 Muslim leaders and organizations support the council for its condemnation of violence. The fatwa reads, “Targeting civilians’ life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is prohibited in Islam — haram — and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not ‘martyrs.’”
According to this decree, Muslims should also alert law enforcement about any threats to human life and must not cooperate with any group or individual involved in terrorism.
Although moderate Muslims, including the council, have made similar attempts to denounce violence before, Saddiqi and Ashfaq Taufique, president of the Birmingham Islamic Society, believe many of these efforts have been overlooked in America.
‘A major sin’
“The philosophy forbidding the killing of innocent people is not a new one,” Taufique said. “Killing innocent people, even in a course of war, is a major sin in Islam. The Quran says if you have killed a person — without a just reason — (it) is like you have killed humanity.”
Gov. Bob Riley is not one who plans to ignore the fatwa. “People of all religions should denounce the terrorists we’re fighting for what they are: evil,” said Riley, a member of First Baptist Church, Ashland. “Anytime progress is made in recognizing this essential truth, it is something to take note of and appreciate.”
Hope for change
Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page hopes Muslims will cease and desist from terrorism and that there would be a meeting of the minds of people who will truly work toward peace. “I was delighted to see this fatwa,” he said. “I am delighted that they have reissued a call for civility and a cessation of attacks upon innocent civilians.”
Alabama Baptist State Convention President Roger Willmore has mixed feelings. “On the surface, the statement seems to be an honest attempt on the part of the moderate Muslims … to address the critical issue of radical Islamic terrorism,” he said. “It certainly took a measure of courage on the part of Muzammil Siddiqi to address his fellow Muslims with such pointed language. I commend the Muslim clerics for this bold announcement.”
Willmore encourages the clerics to stand by their fatwa and prays that Muslims worldwide will have respect for the lives of their fellow human beings.
“I am hopeful but I must admit that I am also skeptical,” he added. “I want to believe that there are those who embrace Islam who are not militant and violent. The effect of Islam on the American culture is not caused by bombs and bullets … alone. There is also the threat of a subtle syncretism of religious beliefs that has the potential of undermining the Christian foundation upon which this country was founded.” (RNS contributed)
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