"This protocol can regulate the lives of Muslims living in western societies and draw up guidelines for integrating them into such societies," said Goma

By Hassan Mekki, Sobhy Mujahid IOL Staff

CAIRO, January 13 (IslamOnline.net) – Egypt's Mufti Ali Goma called Tuesday, January 13, for drawing up a Muslim-Western protocol regulating the everyday lives of Muslims in the West.

"I adjure the wise men in the West to put their heads together and draft a protocol [regulating the relations] between statesmen and leading intellectuals in the West, on the one hand, and Muslim scholars in general and Muslims living in the West, on the other," Goma told IslamOnline.net in an exclusive interview.

"This protocol can regulate the lives of Muslims living in western societies and draw up guidelines for integrating them into these societies -- which adopt secularism, defend human rights and do not interfere in the religious rituals of others," added the prominent scholar.

Goma said if this protocol was put into force "it should be then abiding and a reference for all".

"Thus, we can avoid a repeat of what we see as minor matters when compared to the society basic problems, notably the dignity of human beings, the development of society and joint cooperation to maintain international peace and social security," the Egyptian scholar added.

He said the timing of the proposal coincides with a planned French law banning hijab in state schools.

Last month, Goma issued a fatwa making clear that hijab was an obligation for Muslim women wherever they are and not a religious symbol.

"The broad lines of this protocol should be based on the true image of Islam and the efforts made to clear any stereotypes found in the west," said the Egyptian Mufti.

Obstacles

On possible obstacles to the mooted protocol, Goma said it all depends on intentions.

"If people have good intentions, there will be no obstacles," he said, adding that there were signs of goodwill from "wise men in the West".

"One of the obstacles is the separation of religion from state in secular western countries, which will then see the protocol as having nothing to do with politics.

"Therefore, we should make clear that this protocol has everything to do with politics, since it clarifies how to deal with religious minorities [in the West], which is pure politics," he elaborated.

Goma also said that the protocol could not be drafted overnight but in a piecemeal fashion, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was put forward in 1946 but only completed in 1970s.

Asked why Al-Azhar did not take the initiative, the Egyptian Mufti said the protocol should be a joint effort by Muslims in the West and wise non-Muslim.

"[Because] They are fully aware of the intricacies and problems facing the integration of Muslims into such societies," Goma explained, but added that Al-Azhar could help.