Sep. 15, 2005 0:59  | Updated Sep. 15, 2005 7:55
'Fatwa' forbids relations with Israel
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

The Palestinian Religious Scholars Society on Wednesday issued a fatwa
(Islamic religious decree) forbidding normalization with Israel.

The fatwa came in response to a surprise ruling earlier this week by
Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, head of Egypt's al-Azhar Mosque University,
in favor of normalization with Israel.

"Islam does not prohibit normalization with other countries,
especially Israel, as long as this normalization does not affect
religion," Tantawi, one of the Arab world's leading Muslim scholars,
wrote.

Condemning Tantawi's stance, the Palestinian Religious Scholars
Society said his ruling was tantamount to supporting infidels, a move
that is banned by Islam. "This is like sharing with the infidel in his
evil deeds," it added.

Reaffirming a long-standing ban on normalized relations with Israel,
the Palestinian group said relations with occupiers of Muslim lands
meant recognition of their aggression. 

[...]

Source: "mideastjpost.com"
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/
JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1126664382658&p=1101615860782

Cheers, Steve..

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