Muslim Cleric to Be Monitored While in Britain

Reuters ^ | 7-7-04 | Jeremy Lovell

[Indy Pendance]

LONDON (Reuters) - A leading Muslim theologian who condemned the Sept. 11 attacks and the Bali bombing but condones some suicide bombings will have his speeches monitored while in Britain, Home Secretary David Blunkett said on Wednesday.

Blunkett, under mounting pressure to expel outspoken Egyptian-born cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, said his comments while on a speaking tour of Britain would be scrutinized for any indications of preaching race hate or intolerance.

"We will certainly monitor what he has got to say and what he has got to do," Blunkett told BBC radio on the same day he said he planned to legislate to stop attacks on the Muslim religion in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Newspapers and parliamentarians from all parties have urged the government to deport Qaradawi, who arrived in Britain on Monday. They accuse him of supporting terrorism.

Arguing his case on suicide bombings on BBC television, Qaradawi said on Wednesday the act was justified in certain circumstances.

"It is allowed to jeopardize your soul and cross the path of the enemy and be killed, if this act of jeopardy affects the enemy, even if it only generates fear in their hearts, shaking their morale, making them fear Muslims," he said. "If it does not affect the enemy then it is not allowed."

"Allah is just. Through his infinite wisdom he has given the weak what the strong do not possess, and that is the ability to turn their bodies into bombs, like the Palestinians do."

Prime Minister Tony Blair said the Qatar-based Qaradawi would not be allowed to overstep the line, but that any case to expel the man, who has been barred from the United States since 1999, would have to be watertight.

"We will keep it under very strict review. There are rules that have to be applied and those rules will be applied to this particular individual," he told parliament.

Qaradawi is revered in much of the Muslim world for his intellectual rigor and ability to adapt the fundamental tenets of Islam to the modern world.

A prominent poet, writer and public speaker, Qaradawi has a reputation for spurning extremists which is seen by some to be at odds with his known support for Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel and statements deemed to be homophobic.

After Sept. 11 he urged all Muslims worldwide to donate blood to help the victims and also condemned the 2002 Bali bombing as barbaric and immoral.

The Muslim Council of Britain, an umbrella organization representing some 400 different organizations, condemned media attacks on Qaradawi, describing him as "a voice of reason and understanding."

[Pikamax]

"The Muslim Council of Britain, an umbrella organization representing some 400 different organizations, condemned media attacks on Qaradawi, describing him as "a voice of reason and understanding.""




hmm.... I guess M.C.B and Reuters missed this or at least Reuters

http://straightway.sinfree.net/rulings/fatwas1.htm

QUESTION:
Please, could you tell me the ruling on homesexuality: sodomy and lesbianism. And if it is Haram, what is the punishment for it in Islam?

ANSWER FROM DR. YUSUF AL-QARADAWI

We must be aware that in regulating the sexual drive Islam has prohibited not only illicit sexual relations and all ways, which lead to them, but also the sexual deviation known as homosexuality. This perverted act is a reversal of the natural order, a corruption of man's sexuality, and a crime against the rights of females. [The same applies equally in the case of female homosexuality. (Trans.)]

The spread of this depraved practice in a society disrupts its natural life pattern and makes those who practice it slaves to their lusts, depriving them of decent taste, decent morals, and a decent manner of living. The story of the people of the Prophet Lut (Lot) as narrated in the Qur'an should be sufficient for us. Lut's people were addicted to this shameless depravity, abandoning natural, pure, lawful relations with women in the pursuit of this unnatural, foul and illicit practice. That is why their Prophet Lut (peace be on him), told them, "What! Of all creatures, do you approach males and leave the spouses whom your Lord has created for you? Indeed, you are people transgressing (all limits)!" (26:165-166)

The strangest expression of these peoples' perversity of nature, lack of guidance, depravity of morals, and aberration of taste was their attitude toward the guests of the prophet Lut (peace be on him) who were angels of punishment in human form sent by Allah to try these people and to expose their perversity. The Qur'an narrates the story thus: And when Our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and did not know how to protect them. He said, 'This is a day of distress.' And his people, who had long since been practicing abominations, came rushing toward him. He said, 'O my people, here are my daughters. They are purer for you, so fear Allah and do not disgrace me in front of my guests. Is there not a single upright man among you?' They said, 'Thou knowest well that we have no right to thy daughters, and certainly thou knowest what we want.' He said, 'If only I had strength to resist you or had some powerful support!' Said (the angels) 'O Lut, truly, we are messengers of thy Lord; they shall not reach thee....' (11:77-81)

The jurists of Islam have held differing opinions concerning the punishment for this abominable practice. Should it be the same as the punishment for fornication, or should both the active and passive participants be put to death? While such punishments may seem cruel, they have been suggested to maintain the purity of the Islamic society and to keep it clean of perverted elements.