Fiqh Council of North America
The Fiqh Council of North America is an association of Muslims who interpret Islamic law on the North American continent.
Its 18 members issue religious rulings, resolve disputes, and answer questions relating to the Islamic faith. As outlined in its by-laws, the Council's primary objectives include: "To consider, from a Shari'ah perspective, and offer advice on specific undertakings, transactions, contracts, projects, or proposals, guaranteeing thereby that the dealings of North American Muslims fall within the parameters of what is permitted by the Shari'ah." The Council's opinions are not binding.[1]
Operation Green Quest
In 2002 the Council was searched by federal agents as part of Operation Green Quest, a task force created to track and disrupt terrorist financing.[2] No arrests were made, and the Council denies any links to terror financiers, and has no official links to charities (the search was because a few board members publicly contributed to numerous Islamic charities in America and abroad).
Fatwa
- Terrorism: In July 2005, the Council issued a fatwa stating Islam's condemnation of certain terrorism and religious extremism.[3]
- Capital Punishment: The Council has issued a fatwa calling for a moratorium on Capital Punishment in the United States, based on the fact that several of the presupposed requirements for the carrying out of the law, according to Sharia, are not being met in most cases.[4]
Criticism
Professor Khaled Abou El Fadl, a University of California law professor, said in 2001 that the Council lacked authority among Muslims in the US.[1]
Executive Committee and members
Executive Committee:
Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman
Muhammad Nur Abdullah, Vice Chairman
Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Executive Director
Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh
Jamal Badawi
Ihsan Bagby
Abdur Rahman Khan
Members:
Deina Abdelkader
Muhammad Akbar
Zainab Alwani
Muneer Fareed
Mohammed al-Hanooti
Yahya Hendi
Yusuf Z. Kavakci
Muhammad Qatanani
Hassan Qazwini
Ahmad Shleibak
(updated as of Jan 2009[5]
External links
- Official Web Site
- Educational Addendum: Understanding Your Rights, "Muslim Americans And Shari'ah", by Robert D. Crane, Yusuf Talal and Robert D. Crane, IslamiCity
- U.S. Muslim Scholars Issue Edict Against Terrorism, report by Jason DeRose, NPR, July 28, 2005
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Glaberson, William (October 21, 2001). "Interpreting Islamic Law for American Muslims". NYTimes.com. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ↑ "FT.com – Special Reports / Attack on Terrorism". Specials.ft.com. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ↑ Heard on All Things Considered (July 28, 2005). "U.S. Muslim Scholars Issue Edict Against Terrorism". NPR. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ↑ "General Fiqh Issues Articles". Fiqhcouncil.org. June 14, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.fiqhcouncil.org/AboutUs/tabid/72/Default.aspx