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File photo of IAMS members
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By
Ayman El-Masry, IOL Correspondent
BEIRUT,
November 19 (IslamOnline.net) – The International Association of
Muslim Scholars (IAMS) was to conclude Friday, November 19, a two-day
conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut to form its committees and
discuss pressing Arab and Islamic issues, topped by the Palestinian
and Iraqi crises, in addition to other issues of concern to Muslims
around the world.
The
meetings, held under IAMS president, prominent Muslim scholar Yusuf
Al-Qaradawi, started Thursday, November 18.
“The
meeting is held to discuss the IAMS administrative preparations as
well as probing the pressing issues on the Islamic arena,” IAMS
secretary general Mohamed Salem Al-Awa told IslamOnline.net Thursday.
A
final communiqué will be issued at the conclusion of the meeting, he
added.
The
International Association of Muslim Scholars (IAMS)
was launched Sunday, July 11, in the British capital as an independent
body and a reference for all Muslims worldwide.
The
Dublin-based Association brings together 200 Muslim scholars, Sunnis
and Shiites, from the four corners of the world.
IAMS
Committees
The
committees of the pan-Muslim body were formed during the meeting, IAMS
secretary general said.
“The
committees will prepare the IMAS scientific and cultural issues, in
addition to others related to Islamic call, to be referred to the IAMS
board of trustees.”
“It
is the first practical step taken by the IAMS since its establishment
and the formation of its board of trustees.”
Al-Awa
denied the Beirut meeting was a preparatory meeting before holding a
conference in the near future.
“These
are practical sessions during which important decisions are taken to
be put into implementation.”
Since
it was formed, he maintained, the IAMS has taken remarkable steps such
as visiting the western Sudan’s troubled Darfur and issuing a fatwa
banning the kidnapping and beheading of foreigners in Iraq.
An
IAMS delegation has visited
Sudan in a bid to help end the raging conflict in the
troubled Darfur region.
The
international pan Muslim body has vigorously denounced
the kidnapping and killing of civilians as an aggression against
others, calling particularly for the swift release of all civilians
taken hostage in Iraq.
Al-Qaradawi
himself has vehemently
opposed kidnapping and killing of innocent
civilians.
“Islam
deals strictly with such a matter of bloodshed. It forbids the killing
of innocent people who have nothing to do with wars,” he said.
The
IAMS is studying to establish its main headquarters in Lebanon,
according to its secretary general.
Statement
on Iraq
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Qaradawi, IAMS chairman
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The
IAMS chief denied allegations that the pan-Muslim body was falling
short of addressing to the bloody developments in Iraq.
“The
IAMS has its own statement-issuing mechanism as it comprises a large
number of scholars.
“It
is inconceivable to give statements just for emotional reasons,
rather the IAMS issues well-studied statements based on a religious
ruling.”
Al-Awa
stressed that the IAMS will give an independent statement on Iraq at
the end of the Beirut meeting.
IAMS
members were expected to visit Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami
Friday.
Meetings
are also expected to be held between IAMS members and Lebanese Mufti
Mohamed Rashid Qabani, Shiite scholar Mohamed Hussein Fadlullah and
deputy chairman of the Shiite Islamic council Abdul Amir Qablan.
The
pan-Muslim body will issue a final communiqué during a press
conference, due later Friday.
