An international conference defining Shariah rules for issuing Fatwas (religious edicts) begins here on Saturday. On behalf of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, will inaugurate the conference being organized by the Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League (MWL). Dr. Saleh Bin Zabin Al-Marzouki, Secretary General of the Fiqh Academy, said the conference is aimed at issuing a Fatwa charter defining the Shariah rules governing issuing of Fatwas. More than 170 scholars and muftis from various parts of the world are taking part in the conference to discuss main topics including: Collective Ijtihad (Jurisprudence) and its importance in today's world, danger of odd rulings, Fatwa and its importance, alteration of a Fatwa, Fatwa reinforcing established facts in Shariah, fabrication, ruling and mechanism of Fatwa and issuing Fatwas on satellite channels. He said the major reason behind the convening of the conference is to highlight the dangers posed by the spread of the odd Fatwas which violate the proper rules and principles governing issuing of authentic Fatwas. Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki, MWL Secretary General, said the scholars participating in the conference will give due attention to the Gaza issue and the barbaric and inhumane massacres being carried out by Israel in Gaza. “By these crimes Israel is targeting the entire Arab and Muslim nations,” he said. He said the participants will discuss shortage of muftis in some Islamic countries and the possibility of providing these countries with credible and qualified muftis. Al-Turki expressed his thanks to King Abdullah for patronizing this world conference, pointing out that this patronage will give the strength to the conference and contribute to the achievement of its objectives. He prayed to Almighty Allah to reward the King for his great services to Islam.
