By
Sami A. Muhammad, IOL Correspondent
DUBLIN,
February 24, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Eminent scholar Sheikh Yusuf
Al-Qaradawi has inaugurated the 14th
session of the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) with a
call for the sizable Muslim minority in Europe to integrate into and
contribute to the advancement of society.
“A
Muslim should stick to the balanced and moderate Islam. He should be
integrated into the society where he lives without violating the rules
of Shari`ah,” Sheikh Qaradawi, the head of ECFR, told the opening
session on Wednesday, February 23.
The
event was attended by a cohort of prominent scholars from across the
globe in addition to a host of guests, observers and media people of
different nationalities.
“A
Muslim should be effective in his society and help in its welfare and
prosperity,” said the eminent scholar.
Sheikh
Qaradawi underlined the need to preach to Muslims in the West,
particularly Europe, to be part and parcel of society.
“We
have to educate people here especially Muslims to open their hearts
for the other. Muslims should deal with others honestly. It is not
permitted for a Muslim to take what is not his right.”
Sheikh
Qaradawi stressed that Islam spread in many countries without any
conquering armies, noting that it is a mistake to claim that Islam is
a religion that calls for war.
Islam
spread at the hands of ordinary Muslims who were role models in
abiding by the morals and ethics of Islam in all aspects of life, said
Sheikh Qaradawi, also head of the International Association of Muslim
Scholars (IAMS).
Family
Affairs
The
pressing issue of family affairs in the West will also figure high on
the agenda of the five-day ECFR meeting.
A
session will focus on “issues related to the relationship between
parents and children, domestic violence, children’s upbringing and
the family integration,” said Sheikh Hussein Halawa, ECFR Secretary
General.
“It
will also address the relationship between husband and wife and the
mutual rights and obligations between the couples.”
Sheikh
Halawa added that a number of resolutions will be taken regarding the
researches discussed.
Among
the most important researches that will be discussed are “Marrying a
woman from the People of the Book” by Sheikh Mustafa Mula Auglu and
“Domestic violence and the solution” by Dr. Ali Qura Daghi.
To
also be addressed are “sexual education in the light of Islam” by
Dr. Muhammad Al-Hauwari and “Muslim family in the West Between the
Islamic Legislation and the Administrative Laws” by Dr. Muhammad
Al-Umrani.
The
ECFR is permanently headquartered in Dublin, with a mission to serve
Muslims living in the West and facilitate their positive integration
into society while preserving their Islamic identity.
The
Council meets twice a year in Europe, with one session always held in
Ireland.
