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Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1396
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 1:27 pm: | 
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Muslims in Spain Issue Fatwa Against bin Laden
Declaration Marks First Anniversary of Madrid Train Bombings
By Emma Ross-Thomas, Reuters
MADRID, Spain (March 11) - Spain's leading Islamic body has issued a religious order declaring Osama bin Laden to have forsaken Islam by backing attacks such as the Madrid train bombings a year ago.
The Islamic Commission of Spain timed its ''fatwa'' for Friday to coincide with the first anniversary of last year's attacks, which killed 191 people and were claimed in the name of al Qaeda in Europe.
The commission's secretary general Mansur Escudero said the fatwa had moral, rather than legal weight and would serve as a guide for Muslims.
''We declare ... that Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda organization, responsible for the horrendous crimes against innocent people who were despicably murdered in the March 11 terrorist attack in Madrid, are outside the parameters of Islam,'' the commission said.
The commission said the Koran barred Muslims from committing crimes against innocent people.
The commission is the top Islamic body in Spain. Its leaders are elected by an assembly and represent the Muslim community in talks with the Spanish government.
Most of the 42 suspects held in connection with the investigation are of Moroccan origin whom investigators say were committed to holy war against the West.
ISLAM DOES NOT JUSTIFY TERRORISM
''The terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda organization ... which result in the death of civilians, such as women and children ... are totally prohibited and are the object of strong condemnation within Islam,'' it said in a statement citing extensively from religious texts.
The commission issued its fatwa as Spaniards paid tribute to the passengers killed on four Madrid commuter trains a year ago.
At Madrid's main mosque, worshippers observed a minute's silence before Friday prayers, and Morocco's King Mohammed attended a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the victims.
At least half a million Muslims live in Spain and many have felt increased isolation as a result of the March 11 bombings.
''After March 11, all Muslims have become suspect,'' Mohammed El Afifi, a spokesman for Madrid's biggest mosque, said recently.
Escudero told Reuters by telephone: ''Any group that invokes Islam to justify terrorist attacks places itself outside of Islam.''
Bin Laden's claim to recover al Andalus -- the Arabic term for Spain during the nearly 800 years parts of the country were under Moorish rule -- ''totally contradict God's will,'' the commission said.
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Guy
Supporter
Username: Vandalay
Post Number: 581
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 1:56 pm: |
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Good news Mark, but what took them so long?
Could be just another positive byproduct of the Iraq elections and subsequent changes happening in the Middle East. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1397
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 2:01 pm: |
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You know, Guy, I purposefully posted this without any spin or commentary (except for the thread title). I think the best thing for all is to applaud this development in the Muslim world without any questions as to how or why it finally happened. I just hope this provides some cover for other moderates in Islam to stand up and speak out against the abomination in Afghanistan (or is it Pakistan these days) who is twisting their peaceful religion out of shape.
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Guy
Supporter
Username: Vandalay
Post Number: 582
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 2:13 pm: |
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I was just having alittle fun, Mark.
I completely agree with you. This is great news that hopefully leads to similar Fatwas issued throughout the Muslim world.
We will save the question of why for another day. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 2139
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:54 am: |
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I was delighted to read about this. On past threads we've discussed how little the American media reports on anti-terrorism efforts and/or declarations by Muslim organizations. This may be partly due to questionable choices by those in the media, but it leaves mainstream viewers wondering if most Muslims really care enough to speak out about terrorism. This proclamation from the Spanish Muslims is quite welcome. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1418
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 7:39 am: |
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Notehead: I am surprised that so few on MOL would comment on this. Where are the liberals who argue that Islam is not a monolithic religion of terrorism? Where are the conservatives who say that a moderate Islamic government can be nurtured in Iraq?
I agree that it is an enormous event, especially in light of the fact that Spanish authorities have discovered and foiled several new terrorist strikes in Spain in the last year. It was a major act of bravery and conscience by the Islamic Commission, and it should be celebrated by all who love peace and stability in the world.
I also wonder why we are not hearing more about this from the Administration or from national news outlets. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 2146
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 9:47 am: |
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Perhaps there is too much distraction from the all-important Michael Jackson trial.  |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 2147
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 9:49 am: |
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Wait a second... perhaps there is less discussion of it precisely because it so clearly a wonderful thing. No contentiousness means it's just not much of a story. Of all possible reasons, I suppose that is the one I could most easily accept. |
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