|
|
Muslims in Europe were urged to join political parties and vote in elections. (IOL picture)
|
ISTANBUL — The European Council for Fatwa and
Research (ECFR) encouraged European Muslims, both men and women, to
participate in the political life in their respective countries as a
requirement of citizenship.
"This participation includes getting involved
in civil society work, joining parties, formulating trends and
voting," the Dublin-based ECFR said in a declaration marking the
conclusion of its 16th session.
"Financial support may be given to a
non-Muslim nominee who is skilful and can achieve the public
interest."
The ECFR, which aims to serve Muslims living in the
West and facilitate their positive integration into society while
preserving their Islamic identity, stressed that Islamic morals and
ethics should be observed in the entire process.
The week-long conference brought together a galaxy
of prominent and eminent Muslim scholars from different European
countries.
Twenty-five papers and researches were discussed,
reaffirming that democracy in its essence, from an Islamic
perspectives, is a confirmation of shura (mutual consultation)
principle entrenched in Islam.
The ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip and
the destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure overshadowed the
meetings.
The ECFR meets twice a year in Europe, with one
session always held in its permanent headquarters in Dublin.
Integration
|
|
The week-long conference brought together a galaxy of prominent and eminent Muslim scholars from different European countries.
|
The council concluded that the division of the
world into two main divisions, dar harb and dar Islam was initiated in
wartime, which is exceptional in Islam.
Islam states that the basic governing rule in the
relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is peaceful co-existence,
it averred.
The council issued 16 fatwas on different issues
ranging from family law, citizenship, financial transactions, acts of
worship, slaughtering to political participation.
It recommended that Muslims in Europe should
co-exist and work for integration within their societies with
preserving their identities.
It further said they should adopt a political
project that observes all the legal regulations in order to benefit
their societies.
The ECFR further said that imams and community
leaders should urge Muslims to vote and participate in the elections.
It encouraged talented Muslim students to study law
and political sciences to be trained to contribute in a positive
manner to their western societies.
Figh Center
The ECFR recommended that Muslims in Europe should
work on establishing a research center of the political fiqh.
A juristic seminar on the political fiqh for
European Muslims was held as part of the conference proceedings with
the participation of experts and political theorists to share their
views on the discussed issues.
Professor Saeed Abdullah Hareb, advisor to the Vice
Chancellor of the UAE University, has proposed the establishment of
the research center to create a complete and integrated project for
the political system in Islam that handles all related details from a
Shari`ah perspective and in light of the current contemporary
circumstances.
He said many things attached to the political
system in Islam have been comprehended in terms of study and research
as attached to history more than in relation to the broad juristic
principles and the Shari`ah-based texts.
Dr. Salah Sultan, President of the American Center
for Islamic Research, Ohio, USA, has welcomed the establishment of the
proposed research center.
"I think the establishment of this center is
necessary and is of great importance to Islam and Muslims all over the
world," he told IslamOnline.net.
