Abdullah explains objective behind decree on fatwas MAKKAH – King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sent a reply cable of thanks to Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, president of the Supreme Judicial Council, for the Council's expression of appreciation for a Royal order restricting issuance of fatwas to members of the Board of Senior Ulama and those permitted by the King to do so. The King also expressed thanks for the Supreme Judicial Council's statement that it views the Royal order as one of great importance, will implement it and follow it up in order to realize its goals. In his cable, the King said, “We thank the Council — represented by its president, members, secretary and judges — for what they have expressed. We stress the contents of this order and its important Shariah aspects. “All should be united for the sake of the religion and they should leave discord, reject the contraventions that do not safeguard the religion and do not take the interest of the Ummah into consideration. “It (the Royal Decree on fatwas) was issued to organize the issuance of fatwas on the basis of the Holy Qur'an as a strong foundation that protects our religion that we will never waver from and not spare any efforts to serve. “We pray to Allah for assistance in this matter and to grant us all success in all that will uphold our religion and upgrade our nation and the Ummah.” Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, president of the Supreme Judicial Council, had sent a cable to King Abdullah to express that it values the Royal order addressing the issuance of fatwas. Bin Humaid said the Supreme Judicial Council gratefully accepted the Royal order, which contained directives that the edicts could only be issued by members of the Board of Senior Ulama and those authorized to do so. These directives were issued to protect the religion and unify the ranks, reject discord and prevent sedition and confusion in the Ummah through the issuance of odd opinion, he said. He said the Royal order stresses and protects the status of the Ulema and respect for the Shariah institutions in Saudi Arabia. He said the status of the Ulema had always been respected and cared for, from the eras of the late Imam Muhammad Bin Saud and the late King Abdul Aziz through the current era of King Abdullah. He stressed that the Supreme Judicial Council would implement and follow up the Royal order's directives.
