London
Muslim scholars and community leaders in the US and Canada yesterday responded to what they regarded as unjust criticism that they have remained silent in the wake of the London bombings by issuing a fatwa, or religious ruling, condemning terrorism as forbidden by Islam.
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<!--endclickprintexclude-->The fatwa was said to be the first of its kind issued in north America and was made public at a Washington news conference that brought together many Islamic scholars, spiritual leaders and Muslim advocacy groups.
While the ruling will be read out in many mosques at Friday prayers across America, organisers were clearly directing their message to the broader public out of concern that Muslims are victims of a backlash that began with the September 11 2001 attacks on the US by al-Qaeda.
Muslim scholars and community leaders in the US and Canada yesterday responded to what they regarded as unjust criticism that they have remained silent in the wake of the London bombings by issuing a fatwa, or religious ruling, condemning terrorism as forbidden by Islam.
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<!--endclickprintexclude-->The fatwa was said to be the first of its kind issued in north America and was made public at a Washington news conference that brought together many Islamic scholars, spiritual leaders and Muslim advocacy groups.
While the ruling will be read out in many mosques at Friday prayers across America, organisers were clearly directing their message to the broader public out of concern that Muslims are victims of a backlash that began with the September 11 2001 attacks on the US by al-Qaeda.
