Military operations against terrorism deemed Jihad: Al-Azhar E-Fatwas Center

CAIRO – 10 February 2018: Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas, which publishes fatwas and religious guidance online, affirmed in a Friday statement that the military operations in Sinai are deemed “Jihad for the sake of God and that history will record it with golden ink in the book of eternity.”

The statement continued that the crimes committed by extremist groups that spilled blood, spread fear, ruined houses of religion in the name of religion are held to be forbidden in Islam for being considered banditry and must be punished by complete elimination.

“The brave Egyptian Army, which has been conquering its enemies throughout history, would not just watch such dire violations without acting against,” the statement added. “The army has decided to sacrifice for the sake of the nation, knowing that this grants immortality in heavens.”

The center added that the Egyptian Army will forever remain an eminent fort against all sorts of extremism, protecting Egypt’s safety and independence.

The statement affirmed that all authorities affiliated with Al-Azhar are standing in solidarity with the Armed Forces against extremist ideologies.

The center also called upon media outlets to adhere to accurate and professional coverage in broadcasting and publishing news or information about the armed operations against terrorism.

Al-Azhar Fatwa Global Center was established in November 2016 based on a decision from Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb to detect extremist fatwas online and to respond to them. The center serves as a platform for communication for those who want to know about fatwas from Al-Azhar online.