Canadian Imams In Anti-ISIS Fatwa: ISIS Was Created By Western Interests To Remove Syrian Govt.

Canadian Imams In Anti-ISIS Fatwa: ISIS Was Created By Western Interests To Remove Syrian Government; Joining It Is A Mortal Sin. (Memri).

On March 11, 2015, the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, a Calgary-based body headed by Imam Syed Soharwardy, issued a 'historic fatwa' against joining the Islamic State (ISIS). The fatwa states that ISIS is a 'khawarij' group,[1] and that whoever joins it or encourages others to do so in any way is committing a grave sin that excludes him from the fold of Islam.

The fatwa, signed by several dozen imams from across Canada, explains that ISIS is actually a group of 'strangers' that was 'created by the funding of Western countries to overthrow the Syrian regime,' and that it was 'planted in Muslim countries to serve anti-Islam interests by deceiving Muslims in the name of Islam.' 

It adds that 'ISIS and other terrorists are using the policies of the United States and other Western countries in the Middle East as an excuse to control Muslim sentiments and then use them for their own political and personal gain.'  

The authors of the fatwa clarify that they strongly condemn those policies of the Western countries, including Canada itself, which are 'completely unjust, based upon Islamophobia, bias and intolerance towards Muslims.' 

They also 'condemn the highly destructive and hateful role of the media in intentionally promoting intolerance towards Islam and Muslims.' 

However, they say, Muslims cannot counter anti-Islamic efforts by choosing the path of ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Boko Haram, and other organizations of their ilk. 

This is because, even while countering anti-Islamic aggression, Muslims are utterly forbidden to commit many of the deeds that ISIS has committed, such as beheading enemies, Muslim or non-Muslim, or driving them from their homes; murdering Muslims, including religious scholars, who disagree with them; and destroying mosques and tombs. 

The fatwa also stresses that only governments are authorized to declare a war, and that the Islamic State does not have the status of an actual state or government.

Turning to the issue of Canada's security, the authors emphasize that Canadian Muslims have a religious duty to protect this country against anyone who wishes to harm it. 

They note that Canada is home to over one million Muslims who enjoy complete freedom of worship, with over 1,000 mosques and over 700 Islamic schools across the country. 

Hence, any attack on Canada is an attack on the freedom of Canadian Muslims. The fatwa therefore states that 'any person who inspires people to cause harm to Canada and Canadians must immediately be reported to the Police.'

The following are excerpts from the fatwa. Read the full story here.