Egypt’s Mufti: Misleading fatwas threaten global security

CAIRO – 17 October 2017: Egypt’s Mufti Shawky Allam said that the challenges Egypt and the world are facing are due to “misleading fatwas” that threaten security and peace. Allam’s comments were made during the international conference for Ifta held in Cairo Tuesday.

“Since the world rises up against terrorism, so religious intellectuals should confront extremist thoughts and instead spread the teachings of our tolerant religion,” Allam added in his speech.



Azhar clerics and international members of Fatwa authorities from different countries - Photo by Mohamed Assal/Egypt Today


He further noted that the conference is considered an “opportunity to achieve this goal, as the conference’s importance is not limited to discussing the issues of terrorism and extremism, but it expands to include misleading fatwas that leads to confusion in our society.”



Egypt's former Mufti Ali Gomaa participating in the international conference for fatwa in Cairo Tuesday Oct.17, 2017 - Photo by Mohamed Assal/Egypt Today

Fatwas are religious edicts issued by recognized authorities. In Egypt, Dar al-Ifta, is the only body authorized to issue fatwas.

The conference, titled "Fatwa Role in Maintaining Societies' Stability," kicked off Tuesday, and is scheduled to last until Thursday. Members of Fatwa authorities from 63 countries are participating in the conference.