Militants Urged To Rethink Jihad Concepts

Web posted at: 4/19/2007 3:10:26
Dr Yousuf Al Qaradawi
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Doha • Prominent Islamic scholar Dr Yousuf Al Qaradawi has called the militant groups in the Islamic world to re-examine their concept of 'Jihad' and open a dialogue with Muslims scholars.

He was speaking at a symposium organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) titled ‘human rights in Islam' on Monday at Doha Sheraton.

"There no justification for the suicide operation in Iraq where civilians are being killed, as Iraq has many developed weapon to fight the enemy. This was acceptable in Palestine in a certain time of period when the Palestinian people didn't have weapons to fight their enemies. Now, thank Allah, they do have some weapons and there is no much of that kind of operations,"
Qaradawi said answering a question from the audience.

Qaradawi condemned the bomb attacks which target innocent people.

"Right to life is the first and foremost human right upheld by Islam and in its view, no one has the right to take it. A person does not have the right to kill himself, not to say others, in the Islamic view," he said.

In Islam obligations come before the rights. "If you fulfil your obligations, this will protect the rights of others".

"Parents' duty is to provide a decent life for their children which is their right," Qaradawi said.

He said in the western philosophy there is no red lines for human rights and anything has been a considered a right. What is the logic behind marriage between the same sex?

The scholar recalled his experience three year ago when he visited London and was about to be sent out of the country because of his views on this issue.

Ali bin Simaikh Al Merri, NHRC Secretary-General was present at the symposium, among other dignitaries.