"Any unjustified attack by individuals, groups or
states against a human being… the environment, public
or private facilities, and endangering natural resources."
MECCA, Saudi Arabia - Muslim scholars meeting in the holy
city of Mecca stressed Thursday that terrorism is alien to
Islam, which the West has often associated with terror since
the September 11 attacks on the United States.
In a statement
issued after a six-day meeting, a group of scholars affiliated
to the Muslim World League spelled out their definition of
terrorism, saying it applied to "any unjustified attack
by individuals, groups or states against a human being."
This includes attacks
on a person's "religion, life, property and honor,"
they said.
The scholars meeting
in this Saudi city said "any act of violence or threat
... designed to terrorize people or endanger their lives or
security" also amounts to terrorism.
"Damaging
the environment and public or private facilities, and endangering
natural resources" is equally an act of terror, as are
"murder and banditry."
But jihad (holy
war or struggle) cannot be equated with terrorism, the scholars
said, noting that "struggling against occupiers and colonial
settlers who drive people from their land and against those
who help them" is legitimate in Islam.
Struggling against
"those who renege on their commitments" or prevent
Muslims from "peacefully preaching" their religion
is a form of jihad, they said.
But the scholars
emphasized that Islam lays down rules for jihad, "prohibiting
the killing of non-combatants and innocent women, children
and elderly men, as well as fighters who surrender and prisoners."
Also banned are
attacks against "installations, sites and buildings not
related to the fighting."
The Muslim scholars
also urged Muslim minorities in non-Islamic countries to "abide
by the rules of residence and citizenship and uphold public
order in these countries."
The Muslim World
League groups organizations based in Islamic countries as
well as Muslim minorities.
Since the September
terror attacks, several Arab and Islamic states have urged
the United Nations to define the concept of terrorism in a
bid to prevent the US-led anti-terror campaign from being
extended to groups fighting Israel.
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Makkah - Muslim scholars from around the world yesterday spelled
out their definition of terrorism saying it covers all acts
of aggression unjustly committed by individuals, groups or
states against human beings including attacks on their religion,
life, intellect, property or honor.
They also said "any act of violence or threat ... designed to
terrorize people or endanger their lives or security"
also amounts to terrorism. "Damaging the environment
and public or private facilities, and endangering natural
resources" is equally an act of terror, as are "murder
and banditry."
They, however, described acts by the Palestinians against the Israeli
occupation as a form of jihad and legitimate self-defense
and called for a joint effort to counter anti-Islamic campaigns.
The ulema said anti-Muslim media campaigns which have risen following
the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States are being orchestrated
by Zionist organizations and designed to "stir up prejudice,
animosity, hatred and discrimination against Islam and Muslims
by associating them with terrorism."
At the end of a six-day conference here of the Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence)
Academy of the Muslim World
League (MWL), the scholars called for distinguishing between
acts of violence and legitimate self-defense by people under
occupation.
They said the best example of state terrorism is the "heinous
terrorism currently perpetrated by Jews in Palestine"
and the one exercised by the Serbs in Kosovo and Bosnia Herzegovina.
"This is the most dangerous (type of) terrorism to world peace
and security and its confrontation is a just self-defense
and jihad in the way of Allah."
The scholars called on nations and people of the world to distinguish
between legitimate jihad against oppression and acts of aggression
and violence.
"Jihad is meant for upholding right, ending injustice, ensuring
peace and security and establishing mercy. Terrorism and violence
committed by the aggressor who usurp the land, desecrate holy
sanctuaries and loot wealth cannot be compared to the practice
the right of legitimate defense as used by the oppressed seeking
to gain their legitimate rights to self-determination."
"Failure to apply justice in solving human conflicts while pursuing
a policy of arrogance and force in international relations
is one of the causes behind many wars and conflicts. Indifference
toward solving the Palestinian problem on just principles
has created a focus for conflict and violence," the scholars
said in a communiqu issued at the end of their conference.
The definition of terrorism also includes destruction of the environment
and private or public facilities as well as endangering national
resources. All these acts are types of mischief on earth which
Allah the Almighty commanded Muslims against committing, said
the statement.
"Allah has promulgated severe and deterrent punishment for terrorism,
aggression and mischief including execution, crucifixion,
the cutting off of hands and feet and exile from the land."
The delegates discussed and issued judgments on a number of issues
facing modern day Muslims that relate to medicine, cosmology,
economics and finance.
The conference said the anti-Islamic campaigns seek to convince Western
communities that Islam is the new enemy that replaced communism.
They intend to stir up crusade-like sentiments in the minds
of Western nations and encourage them to adopt policies projecting
Western domination over Islam, incite prejudices and racial
discrimination against Muslims communities and minorities
and promote the clash of civilization theory.
The scholars also urged Muslim minorities in non-Islamic countries
to "abide by the rules of residence and citizenship and
uphold public order in these countries."
The call for a clear definition of terrorism to ward off the malicious
campaign against Islam and Muslims came from MWL Secretary-General
Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, who said it was the duty of Muslim
scholars to work out a comprehensive and objective definition
for terrorism and clarify this concept for Muslims. The definition
will be distributed to governments and Islamic and international
establishments concerned with world peace and security.
The conference was opened by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, on
behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd with
a call for Muslim unity. Scholars were urged to explain to
the world the tolerant and accommodating nature of Islam.
The Kingdom’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah Al-Sheikh,
described the campaign against Saudi Arabia and other Muslim
countries as criminal. Muslim scholars, and intellectuals
as well as the leagues and councils they belong to are duty
bound to defend Islam and Muslims and enlighten both Muslims
and non-Muslims on the reality of matters, said the statement.
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