Wrap up: First day of the International Conference for Fatwa in Egypt

CAIRO – 17 October 2017: The International Conference for Fatwa under the title of "The Role of Fatwa in Creating a Stable Society" launched on Tuesday under the auspices of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as a part of his call for renewing religious discourses.

The three-day conference, held by General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, was attended by delegations from 80 countries to face misleading fatwas and their impacts on societies.

Grand Imam of Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb, Egypt's Mufti Shawqi Allam, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Muhammad bin Abdul Karim, and the chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) in the UAE Mohammed Matar al-Kaab Issa all inaugurated the conference earlier in the day.


Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Muhammad bin Abdul Karim gives his speech during the International Conference for Fatwa. Photo by Mohamed Asal, Egypt Today
In his speech, 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.

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

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 confuse our society.”


Egypt’s Mufti Shawky Allam delivering his speech during the International Conference for Fatwa in Cairo Tuesday. Photo by Mohamed Asal, Egypt Today
For his part, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, the Grand Mufti of Lebanon stated that fatwa issuances should be in coordination with the state in order to protect human rights and put an end to any threat to the state’s safety and security.”

“We cannot address the injustice and hostile campaigns faced by Islam, and the distortion of our religion caused by misguided fatwas. However, with God on our side we can face all challenges,” stated Derian.

Derian added that a large number of Egyptian Muslims represent the modesty of Islam, thanking Al-Azhar for exerting huge efforts in achieving peace; indicating that the Arab world is at a critical stage facing violations committed against the Rohingya Muslims, and against the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.


The Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdellatif Derian – File Photo
During the opening session, the chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) in the UAE, Mohammed Matar al-Kaabi confirmed that legislations must be enacted to control fatwa, especially on TV and internet websites.

Kaabi declared during the conference that the UAE imposed strict regulations to control fatwa issuance; stressing that charters must be set on websites and TV channels to prevent them from hosting people who are unqualified to dispense religious edicts.

These charters were implemented to prevent unsuitable spiritual intellectual content from spreading, and to separate fatwas from politics.


Chairman of General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) in UAE Mohammed Matar al-Kaabi – File photo
In the same context, Minister of Religious Endowments Mohammed Mokhtar Gomaa stressed, in a speech on behalf of the prime minister Sherif Ismail, the necessity of regulating fatwas to achieve stability and promote peace and coexistence.

Scholars should join forces to counter extremist thoughts facing society; highlighting the role of scholars in promoting moderate teachings of Islam in light of the latest developments witnessed by societies.

Terrorism has no religion or homeland, Ismail stressed, noting that it requires intensified international efforts to be uprooted.


Minister of Religious endowments (Awqaf) Mohammed Mokhtar Gomaa – File photo
Egypt’s Grand Imam and head of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb, closed the opening session by stating that fatwa is a very serious responsibility; pointing out that a mufti may prohibit halal matters or validate haram matters.

He warned against individuals who feign religious knowledge and their dependency on misinterpretations of the Quran and Sunnah.

Tayeb added that throughout his one and a half year as a mufti, he had been working freely with no pressures or instructions. “I was told to just follow my conscience,” he added.

He recommended that the conference establish a separate department in Al Azhar for fatwas and their related sciences; noting that this can commence qualified scholars for fatwa.


During the International Conference for Fatwa – File photo


During the International Conference for Fatwa – File photo