printWhether Dr Tahir ul-Qadri’s 600-page ruling decreeing that “Islam forbids the massacre of innocent citizens and suicide bombings,” Jews included, is a significant departure from previous “yes, but” type fatwas is subject for legitimate debate. What is not debatable is the newsworthiness of ul-Qadri’s judgment.
Yet, so far, the usually diligent Islam-trackers (here and here, and here) have failed to report this bit of news coming out of England. It is quite likely that theirs is an innocent oversight. I hope so. When it comes to Islam, one must avoid seeing faces in the clouds. At the same time, it is wrong to deal only with items that neatly fit one’s paradigm of Islam.
Most people will only examine evidence that fits their view, preferring to ignore blatant evidence to the contrary.
That said, maybe this is good news and maybe there will be some moderation. I still don’t like their religion.
I find it a strange that he came out with a new Fatwa, just after Geert Wilders party had a victory in the Netherlands and Mr. Wilders showed his film to the British Parliament. Diana West was on Russian Tv defending Mr. Wilders. If the hostess had been armed with this Fatwa, which only affects a few Muslims, it might have gotten ugly. “http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx” Now if all of the Muslims were to adopt it, I’d breathe easier.
[I sent Diana a note of congratulations for wiping the floor with the Millennial you mention, but have not heard back. It’s unusual for Ms. West to not reply to an email, although it is now the 2nd time.]
Actually Jihad Watch acknowledged the fatwa (here) and asks an important question:
Will Tahir ul-Qadri be able to convince the countless young Muslims that have been motivated to join the jihad? I’m not hopeful.
[Thanks; I had searched but could not find the reference.]
Among Roman Catholics, only one old priest in Rome is authorized to issue fatwas, and his word is law. Muslims seem to operate under a more democratic dispensation. Anybody with a kafiya on his head may issue a fatwa. I understand that Osama Bin Laden has issued fatwas. The advantage, for Muslims, is that they can always find a fatwa that coincides with their own proclivities. The disadvantage, particularly for Western observers, is that fatwas tend to be rather meaningless.
History is a much better guide to Islam. As a boy of eleven, I learned all any American needs to know about Islam from a Landmark Book entitled The Story of the United States Marines, particularly the chapter on Thomas Jefferson’s Tripolitan War. I’ve seen nothing since to change my perception of Islam.