Islamic scholar rejects new fatwa against UAE nationals

  CAIRO – The grand Islamic scholar of Egypt’s Al Azhar Al Sharif has rejected a fatwa by Palestinian Al Quds Mufti forbidding UAE nationals from praying in the Al Aqsa Mosque. The fatwa was issued after the UAE and Israel signed a peace deal meant to stop Israel from annexation of Palestinian territories in exchange for normalizing ties with the UAE. “I can't find any religious justification for declaring as haram (forbidden) the worship of any Muslim people in any mosque all over the world based on a political stance taken by these people's leadership,” said Dr. Abbas Shuman, member of Al Azhar’s Committee of Senior Scholars. “I reject any religious fatwa that is not based on Sharia-compliant rules," Shuman added. The senior scholar said the Palestinian fatwa against UAE nationals is “biased” and has “no legal sanction”. "I'm not here defending the UAE's decision, nor interfering in its political stand which is solely determined by its leaders. I'm only dismissing that fatwa as biased as it has no legal sanction and cannot be enforced,” he said. Shuman also noted that neighbouring Islamic country, Turkey, has maintained ties with Israel since 1949 but was never targeted with a Palestinian fatwa. “Turkey and Israel enjoy even economic and defence cooperation which far exceeds normalisation of relations; and nonetheless, we have not heard - and we don't want to hear- any Palestinian fatwa banning Turks from praying in Al Aqsa. Neither have we heard any Palestinian fatwa banning Qataris, from praying in Al Aqsa, and likewise we don't want to hear, though Qatar enjoys commercial relations with Israel," Shuman explained. "This fatwa, in addition, contradicts with a call by Palestinian leaders for issuing a religious fatwa, urging Muslims all over the world to visit Al Aqsa and pray there," he added. He said that in lslamic history, no Muslim has ever been banned from praying in any mosque around the world. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ UAE-Israel deal: All you need to know
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