Qaradwi exacerbates the Palestinian divide: Al-Habbash

CAIRO – 11 July 2017: With his contentious fatwas, Yousif Al-Qaradwi contributed to the divide within the Palestinian community, Supreme Judge of Palestine Dr. Mahmoud Al Habbash told the Emirati-led

Al-Bayyan

Newspaper on Tuesday.

“Politicization of religious fatwas and falsifying religious discourse for the sake of justifying political stances harms both causes, be it religion or politics, and also has done much harm to the Arab world, especially the Palestinian cause,” Al-Habbash said, denouncing Qaradwi’s stances regarding Palestine.

Qaradwi, as Al-Habbash said, is the one responsible for deepening the rift between Palestine’s two political rivals, Hamas and Fath. As a result of his fatwas, which gave Hamas permission to attack mosques in Fath-controlled areas, 20 Palestinians were killed.

Dubbed as “the Sheikh of suicide bombing,” Qaradawi was put on the terrorism watch list after being accused of escaping Wadi El Natrun prison. He gave up his Egyptian citizenship, inciting violence against Egypt and joining a terrorist organization. He articulated his permission for suicide bombing if it is required. He is banned from entering the US, UK and France.

He further accused Qaradwi of attempting to serve Israeli purposes by disassociating the Arab world from Al-Quds with his fatwas, which forbade Muslims and Christians from visiting Al-Quds.

“We could see the Arab world standing up against these fatwas and dismissing them. Arab countries are still operating visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Al-Habbash added.

“I met with Qaradwi in 2009 and confronted him about his fatwas; he was surprised that I’m following up on him! I asked him to do a live debate on his fatwas, but he evaded,” he concluded.