Sheikh Qaradawi said Muslims suffered wars and other atrocities in 2003

Ali Al-Halawani, IOL Staff

DUBLIN, January 1 (IslamOnline.net) – A number of eminent Muslim scholars from the United States, Europe and the Islamic world kicked off Wednesday, December 31, the 12th session of the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), with promoting moderation, defining a fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) of Muslim minorities and the issue of hijab high on the agenda.

"As 2003 draws to a close, the Muslim Ummah faced 12 months fraught with sufferings, wars and other atrocities that left us making concessions for free," prominent scholar Sheikh Youssef Al-Qaradawi told the opening session.

Qaradawi, the head of the ECFR, raised the issues of hijab in France and moderation, which he deemed the most crucial in 2003.

"International parties on various levels in the East and West, Muslims and non-Muslims have called for adopting the methodology of moderation," he said.

The veteran scholar noted that even rulers who used to prosecute those who call for moderation have reversed their opposition.

Nevertheless, Qaradawi vocalized fears that the call might be misplaced or misused for chalking up political gains.

Still Opposed

Sheikh Qaradawi reiterated his categorical opposition to the mooted French law banning hijab in state schools, expected to be in effect as of the next academic year in the rigidly-secular country.

"Along with being a religious obligation – not a symbol as France has long insisted to believe – it is a personal freedom to hear hijab," he stressed.

The prominent scholar had sent a letter to French President Jacques Chirac a few days earlier, asking him to reverse his decision backing a ban on hijab.

In a recent televised speech , Chirac came out in favor of the ban, arguing that "long-established" secularism in the country should be reaffirmed.

But Qaradawi said this is out of "biased perception" of the Islamic wear and a "misleading interpretation" of secularism.

Sheikh Qaradawi also lamented comments of some Muslim scholars - including Sheikh of Al-Azhar – who say Muslim women should abide by the ban law and claim the whole issue is an internal affair.

In this regard, the Council will issue a statement – in its capacity as one of the most important institutions that cares for Muslims affairs in Europe – addressed to the French government.

The ECFR is permanently headquartered in Dublin, with a mission mainly meant to serve Muslims living in the West and better display the true identity of Islam as a moderate religion.

The council meets twice a year, with one session always held in Ireland and second in another European country.

Terrorism

The participants are to discuss accusations of terrorism leveled at Muslims in the West and associated acts of discrimination and hate crimes.

ECFR Secretary General Hussein Halawa said talks will follow up on earlier ECFR efforts taken to terrorism.

"We had defined terrorism at a time super powers and big institutions still could not," he said, adding that some states seeking terrorism combat are practicing it on Muslims.

Halawa added that Muslims scholars will also address fears that the hijab ban might be enforced in other European countries.

Seven German states have backed a legislation barring  hijab at a recent meeting of 16 regional ministers for culture, education and religious affairs in the western German city of Darmstadt while eight opposed such laws.