All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, all his brothers from among the prophets and messengers, his family, his Companions, and those who follow his way until the Day of Judgment.

It is because of its duty, in the circumstances that face the entire world and especially the oppression, aggression, and massacres against the Muslims and the weak everywhere, and because of the responsibility of scholars to advise the entire Ummah if it is afflicted by whatever may threaten its interest, unity and stability, that the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) - with its board of directors, general secretariat, executive office, board of trustees which holds a meeting in Beirut presently, and members of scholars - sees the necessity of clarifying the following matters:

First, asserting that what has befallen the Ummah from more than half a century ago in Jerusalem and its vicinities in the blessed Palestinian lands, obliges the Muslims of the entire world to help their brothers and sisters with every means of Jihad, i.e. wealth, speech, the pen, and the soul. They should call upon all peace-loving powers throughout the world to condemn the crimes of the Zionist entity against the Palestinians and their abodes, arable lands, and children. Moreover, they should firmly oppose any attempt to support Sharon's plan of confining the withdrawal from Gaza and a part of the West Bank, or to abate the right of the Palestinian people to restore their lands and have the right of return.

Second, asserting that the courageous Palestinian resistance represents one of the noblest stances of this nation throughout the ages. It is a duty upon every Arab and Muslim to offer all possible support to the resistance. They deserve congratulations and praise for their deep awareness and balance in dealing with the other, and for their seeking to avoid disagreements that affect the unity of the Palestinians inside or outside Palestine. Also, the IUMS praises the Palestinian resistance, with all its factions, for its prohibition of killing the Palestinians and its insistence on adhering to the Islamic and national rules concerning the Palestinian issue, and demands that they remain firm until the victory and freedom come, by Allah's Will.

Third, the IUMS warns the Ummah of the great conspiracy that is made manifest in the attempt to disarm the Palestinian resistance under any pretext, and calls upon all responsible people to fear Allah and not be misled to implement the plans of the enemies, which aim at improving the image of the occupation forces, and achieving the goals of the new conservatives who derive their plans from the Zionist project and work toward its success.

Fourth, the IUMS invites the Ummah, especially its scholars to support the issue of Jerusalem with all possible means, particularly through financing and marketing practical projects to support the Palestinians inside the country, especially in Jerusalem; generalizing the project of fraternity and reconciliation between Arab and Islamic families all over the world, and Palestinian families inside the country, especially in Jerusalem and its vicinities; generalizing the integration project between the civilian, Arab and Islamic institutions and societies, and the institutions of the Palestinian civil society inside the country; and aiding schools, hospitals, and orphanages inside Palestine. The IUMS also urges all Muslims to do whatever they can to reinforce the Palestinian existence within the blessed land and support this issue.

Fifth, the IUMS confirms its condemnation of the assassination of the Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri, and praises the unity of the Lebanese people and their insistence on revealing the truth. The IUMS demands the punishment of all those who are proven to have been involved in this heinous crime, and condemns any attempt to exploit this crime to destroy the fixed rules of the national Lebanese stance, to harm the fraternal relations between Syrian and Lebanese peoples, or to punish those who support and help the resistance.

Sixth, the IUMS warns again that today Iraq faces a conspiracy aimed at disrupting its social fabric even if it remains one country. This conspiracy is based on igniting sectarian and national sedition and exaggerating the points of disagreement. The Iraqis should feel that they are one people with all their different religions and customs. The religious and national duty necessitates acting in unison to expel the occupation troops and rebuild a unified Iraq.

Seventh, asserting what the IUMS stated previously concerning the atrocities committed by the occupation forces in Iraq as being done in an unprecedented way; the use of weapons of mass destruction on a large scale; the disgraceful breach of the Geneva Agreement and all agreements related to civilians during wartime; the insecurity of those who are working for health services and prisoners of war; the use of internationally banned weapons in Falluja and many other cities, as was clearly shown in a documentary; the destruction of houses, buildings, mosques, churches and infrastructure; the destruction of arable lands and population; the murder of injured people in mosques; the prevention of relief supplies reaching their target areas; the bombing of hospitals and preventing medics from performing their humane duty towards the injured and victims; and torturing and mistreating captives and prisoners are all a stigma on the US-led occupation forces in Iraq. The IUMS calls upon all the governments of these countries to return to humanitarian values and immediately stop actions that are condemned by international norms and laws, and immediately pull out of Iraq. Afterwards, the Iraqis should rule their country by themselves.

Eighth, the IUMS once again warns about the presence of a “fifth column” in Iraq, which is trying to tarnish the image of Islam and its people by carrying out grisly attacks in the name of the resistance. The IUMS calls on Muslim scholars everywhere and the praiseworthy resistance groups to condemn all indiscriminate bombings and expose the collaborators.

Ninth, Almighty Allah permits the oppressed and those people who have been attacked to retaliate, as He (Exalted and Glorified be He) says, "To those against whom fighting is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged." However, He (Exalted and Glorified be He) sets out some rules that guarantee that the wronged will fear Allah and adhere to noble human behavior; He (Exalted and Glorified be He) says, "Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him." And, "And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors." No one has the right to attack civilians who do not fight, as man is inviolable; He (Exalted and Glorified be He) says, "If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind." No one has the right to kill, kidnap or terrorize innocent civilians on the pretext of taking revenge on the aggressors. Almighty Allah says, "No person earns any (sin) except against himself (only), and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another." Also, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "No person does wrong, except against himself." The IUMS categorically condemns the explosions aimed at innocent civilians in Amman that devastated three hotels and killed and injured many people. The IUMS offers its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and invokes Allah to shower the dead with His Mercy and grant the wounded a full and speedy recovery. The IUMS asks those who are contemplating such crimes to return to the right path, fear Allah, heed fatwas (religious rulings) that forbid such attacks, and know that evil is not eradicated by evil.

Tenth, any oppressed person has the right to complain through peaceful means, which is guaranteed by the valid laws in France and the other Western countries. The IUMS sympathizes with the great number of marginalized citizens within these countries, who miss out on enjoying the benefits of education and health services and suffer from racial discrimination and severe treatment; moreover, they are referred to with offensive words, and their mosques and religious rites are violated which are inconsistent with man's dignity. At the same time, the IUMS calls upon them not to be involved in any act of sabotage on the pretext of taking revenge on those who have oppressed them or deprived them of their rights; as wealth, souls, and honor are protected by the Almighty. In addition, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not waste money and the Almighty prohibited spreading mischief in the land and destroying arable lands and population. The IUMS calls upon those who feel downtrodden to integrate into their societies rather than isolate themselves from it, and to resort to Muslim scholars and preachers. At the same time, the IUMS invites the governments of these countries to respect the humanity of their citizens, solve their social and economic problems, work on improving their living standards, and help them integrate smoothly into society.

Eleventh, the IUMS has received a report from Amnesty International Holland, which includes a condemnation of the violations committed by the US-led allied forces in Iraq against human rights, and a denunciation of kidnapping, torturing, and killing civilians with no distinction by some armed groups; and the IUMS calls again upon the Ummah and Muslim scholars in particular to condemn these offensive actions regardless of their perpetrators, and to do their utmost to stop all types of violation against human rights.

Twelfth, the IUMS expresses its appreciation for the steps of the peace agreement in Sudan which resulted in putting an end to the war, and invites all those involved to continue the reconciliation process in Darfur and to deal with the deteriorating situation in the east of Sudan through peaceful negotiations and considering public interest. Furthermore, the IUMS states its refusal and denunciation of renewing penalties imposed on Sudan.

Thirteenth, the IUMS denounces all that might affect the freedom of the serious mass media in revealing the truth, and invites all those involved to support its freedom and to guarantee the safety and freedom of those who work in this field. Furthermore, the IUMS condemns any kind of attack against them.

Fourteenth, the IUMS noticed with much concern cases where the seeds of sedition are being sown between Muslims and non-Muslims in some Islamic countries, and where religion is attacked in some films and plays. The IUMS warns of belittling the destructive effects of attacking religions or violating their figures or holy books. The IUMS invites all those involved to follow firm procedures to face such actions and punish their perpetrators.

Fifteenth, the IUMS welcomes the statement of the Forum of the Scholars of the Levant in support of issues concerning the Ummah. Also, the IUMS encourages turning this forum into an organization and doing so with other forums of Muslim scholars, such as those which play a vital role in raising the level of the awareness of people; spreading the true, moderate Islam that suits all times and places, rejecting all forms of rigidity and extremism, as well as all types of looseness and chaos; and revealing the bright face of Islam that calls for establishing justice, fraternity, and peace.

Sixteenth, the IUMS noticed with much concern the many restrictions under which mosques are being placed in some Muslim countries. Also, the IUMS marked that some religious schools, as well as educational and charity organizations, are being targeted in a way meant for minimizing their role and affecting their curricula. The IUMS strongly encourages everyone to help in liberating the houses of Allah and setting them free from injustice. Almighty Allah says, "And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allah's Name be glorified and mentioned much in Allah's Mosques and strive for their ruin?" In addition, the IUMS calls for mosques to be given the opportunity to practice their roles again in spreading Islamic thought and explaining proper Islamic conduct, and to be kept away from the conflicts that separate the Ummah.

Seventeenth, the IUMS expresses its extreme concern about what the Muslims face in Chechnya, East Turkistan, Myanmar and Thailand; and invites all those who are able to abolish injustice against them and guarantee their rights.

Eighteenth, the IUMS once again invites all who are able to revive comprehensive reconciliation among all nations and at all levels; popular and official actions, scholars and preachers, and bodies and organizations. This reconciliation should be based on guaranteeing the rights of all, enhancing the atmosphere of freedom, expanding the circle of participation, abiding by peaceful methods in words and actions, establishing justice, fulfilling the rule of law, canceling emergency laws, and the immediate release of all detainees who are kept unjustly, while emphasizing the role of scholars in reforming the nation, calling for Allah, and adhering and defending the religious and national fixed rules in order to enhance them and block the way of their opponents.

Nineteenth, the IUMS stresses the fact that the process of reformation is moving very slowly and is still restricted within the boundaries of slogans which are mostly a response to outer pressures and dictates. The IUMS wants to stress again the importance of Muslim countries starting a massive reform of their own political, economic, social, and educational systems in a way that conforms with the foundations of our Ummah and the particularities of our cultural identity. In this respect, we shall preserve our history and religious as well as national values.

Finally, the IUMS calls upon all Muslims to grasp the most trustworthy handhold, hold fast to the Rope of Allah (the Noble Qur’an), return to the reality of Islam, and overcome all the causes of weakness, feebleness, and apathy; as the affairs of this nation will only be reformed through that which reformed our early predecessors.