|
Extract of the reactions of Sunni and Shiite scholars and authorities
on the Makkah document
Praise
belongs to God alone. May peace and blessings be on Prophet Muhammad,
the seal of prophets, and on his family, companions and all prophets
and messengers.
The
efforts by the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the scholars
who worked to produce the Makkah Document on the situation in Iraq and
the Document itself have met resounding welcome and support from
Islamic authorities and leaders the world over.
The
General Secretariat, after sending the draft document to Sunni and
Shiite religious leaders, received messages from Their Eminences:
Grand Ayatollah Syed Al-Sistani, Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqubi,
Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir Husain Al-Najafi, His Eminence Ayatollah
Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Al Asifi, His Eminence Professor Dr Abdulkareem
Zaidan and Sheikh Dr Harith Al-Dari.
In his
message, Ayatollah Syed Al-Sistani said he welcomed the Draft Makkah
Document and called on everyone to abide by its provisions, stressing
that what exist in Iraq was not sectarian strife between Iraqi Shiites
and Muslim but political crisis and that “an exit from the current
crisis requires a clear and sincere resolve by all to observe the
inviolability of the blood of an Iraqi whoever he may be and to stop
all forms of violence against each other so that scenes of car bombs,
indiscriminate assassinations, forced expulsions and other tragic
scenes will disappear forever, God willing. He said “Constructive
dialogue to resolve outstanding crises and differences should begin on
the basis of fairness, justice and equality of rights and
responsibilities among all citizens…as a prelude to the restoration of
the full sovereignty of Iraqis over their country and to prepare for a
better tomorrow where they will enjoy security, stability, progress
and development by the help of God the Almighty.”
Ayatollah Sheikh Al Yaqubi’s message says: “We in Iraq feel deeply
grateful to the men who worked earnestly and sincerely to organize the
conference of Muslim scholars in Makkah Al Mukarramah in other to stop
the daily and unjustified bloodshed in Iraq …Although we will not
attend with you in person but our thoughts are with you… I have seen
the items of the Document and found them a collection of the
characteristics of goodness, peace and tolerance…therefore I see it as
necessary for all Iraqi citizens to work in accordance with the
provisions of the signed Document which no one should violate or
contradict. Whoever does so not only wrongs himself but his Ummah.
Iraqis of all sects and races request all arms bearers under whatever
justification, except the official forces responsible for the
maintenance of security and the rule of law, to lay down their arms
from when this blessed Document is signed in order to give chance for
dialogue to resolve all problems that have led to this state.”… “The
violence being witnessed in Iraq is not sectarian as Shiites and
Sunnis had up till now lived as brothers loving one another, but
largely political championed by the politicians” His Eminence called
for “the meeting of all parties concerned during the blessed period of
Hajj to study the outcome which will definitely be equally blessed
because they have the patronage of the Bountiful God.”
The
message of Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir Al-Najafi said: “We give our
support to the whole of the Document. But it should be known that the
root of bloodshed in Iraq is not sectarian but rather political
differences…foreign quarters contributed significantly and continue to
contribute to stirring the turmoil and bloodshed.”
The
letter of Ayatullah Seikh Mohamed Mahdi Asafi read as follows: “I
declare my solidarity with you concerning the provisions of the Draft
Makkah al-Mukarramah Document, and I pray to Allah that this meeting
may play an effective part in ending the sectarian disorder in Iraq
and establishing firmly the rules and foundations set by the Messenger
of Allah (Peace and Prayer Be upon Him) in his Farewell Pilgrimage for
dealings among Muslims… as well as all that was established to be said
and done by the Prophet (PBUH) in all religious schools regarding the
inviolability and sanctity of Muslims’ blood, property and honor”.
Dr.
Abdelkarim Zidane wrote in his letter: “I endorse your blessed
endeavor – God willing – to issue Makkah al-Mukarramah Document
regarding the duty of stemming the bloodshed of Muslims in
Iraq”.
Having
mentioned the sin of the deliberate killing of a Muslim and its
punishment in this life and in the hereafter, His Eminence prayed to
Almighty Allah that He may “guide Muslims toward achieving Islamic
brotherhood and its requirements among themselves”, stating that
it was religious scholars’ duty to illuminate and inform “as they
have but the word and the pen”.
His
Eminence Sheikh Dr. Harith Dari, Secretary-General of the Commission
of Muslim Scholars wrote: “On the soil of Makkah al-Mukarramah, on
these blessed days, the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan,
this meeting is held in an earnest endeavor by the virtuous people who
feel sorry to see the bloodshed and aggression against the Iraqi
people’s properties and honor under religious and sectarian pretexts.
I would like to emphasize here that this aggression does not reflect
the real nature of these people, nor is it their own deed. What is
taking place in
Iraq
is not a civil war; and those who claim so are indeed doing injustice
to this country. Rather, these are crimes perpetrated by various
circles, whose intentions and designs against these unarmed people are
known. The Iraqi mosaic has never experienced difference before and
has lived throughout history in concord and harmony. This meeting and
its outcome, regardless of some circumstances, is a step in the right
direction. What matters really is that we have to be serious in our
endeavors, that we have the willingness to honor our word, far from
utilizing these and similar occasions for interests that are far from
the genuine interest of the Iraqi people”.
A
number of Sunnite and Shiite religious leaderships in the world
expressed their full support to the Document and its call for the
interdiction of bloodshed and the violation of property and
sanctities.
His
Eminence Dr. Mohamed Sayyid Tantawi, Sheikh Al Azhar; Sheikh Dr.
Youssef Al Qaradawi, President of the World Council of Muslim
Scholars; His Eminence Ayatullah Sayyid Mohamed Hussein Fazlullah and
a number of senior scholars from Pakistan, Sudan, Libya and all
Islamic countries, all of them supported the Document and called upon
all Iraqis to abide by it and act in accordance with its provisions.
As it
thanks Almighty Allah for the acceptance and endorsement with which
Makkah al-Mukarramah Document was received, the Organization of the
Islamic Conference prays to Allah to Whom be ascribed all perfection
and majesty from this magnanimous place in this blessed night, that He
may bring close and reconcile the hearts of all Muslims, and that He
may grant the people of Iraq security after fear and happiness after
suffering.
Praise Be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.
back
|
