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Muslim scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has vehemently opposed kidnapping and killing
innocent civilians, urging the release of four Italian and French individuals
recently abducted in Iraq.
Qaradawi – known for moderate views and is a familiar face in many world Islamic
events – stressed that civilians hailing even from the United States should not
be combated in the war-scarred country.
"Islam deals strictly with such a matter of bloodshed. It forbids the killing of
innocent people who have nothing to do with wars," Qaradawi said

Condemned
Qaradawi - the head of the International Association of Muslim Scholars (IAMS) -
condemned the recent abduction of two Italian aid workers in Iraq , urging their
release as soon as possible, saying the fact that Italy had sent troops to Iraq
was irrelevant for the pair were civilians.

"While Italy joins in the war on Iraq , millions of Italians took to the streets
to demonstrate against the war. Moreover, the two hostages work for a
humanitarian organization which has nothing to do with the war," he elaborated.

Italians were stunned over the abduction of charity workers Simona Pari and
Simona Torretta. The two women, both 29, were snatched from their Baghdad office
on Tuesday, September 7.
"Muslims are forbidden from kidnapping innocent people who have nothing to do
with wars," Qaradawi said, noting that the two Italian women have been in Iraq
even before the war broke out.
Asked about doubts the two Italians could have been working as spies for the US
intelligence, Qaradawi made it clear Islam does not call for shedding blood just
for suspicions.
"The religion is set against taking the lives of innocent people just for mere
suspicions."

The aid organization for which Pari and Torretta used to work for is a
long-standing opponent of Western policy towards Iraq , and had campaigned
vigorously against the crippling UN sanctions enforced against Iraq due to its
1990 invasion of Kuwait right up to last year.
Under Saddam Hussein's regime, it ran health care, education and water treatment
projects in a bid to alleviate their impact on the Iraqi people.

Appeal
Qaradawi appealed to the hostage-takers for stopping their practices, which he
said tarnish the image of Islam and associate it with terrorism.

"I call on them to watch Allah and stop such practices which unfairly brand
Islam with terrorism and do disservice to its adherents."

The appeal also covers two French reporters taken hostage in Iraq by an armed
group calling itself the Islamic Army in Iraq . The kidnappers threatened to
kill the two men unless France rescinded a law banning hijab in state schools.
Muslims in France and across the world have rallied for securing the release of
the kidnappers, warning such widely-hyped practices could trigger a backlash.
Qaradawi also condemned the kidnapping of school children in Beslan, southern
Russia, where over 300 people, mostly including children, were killed and at
least 700 others injured in the three-day hostage siege.

Dismissal
Qaradawi dismissed reports that he had issued a fatwa allowing the killing of
American civilians in Iraq in a press conference at the Egyptian Press Syndicate
a few days ago.
"I did not issue such a fatwa."
He went on: "I was speaking on Islam's view on pluralism. I said Islam has never
worked to destroy any nation or expel people from their lands or push them to
change their culture or religion. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has always respected
nations and worked to preserve their bloods."
However, Qaradawi said he is of the view that fighting against the US occupation
forces in Iraq as a legitimate sort of resistance.
"Fighting the American invaders in Iraq is an obligation. I oppose any nation
that invades other countries irrespective of its religion. I say fighting the
American invaders is a must endorsed by heavenly religions and international
agreements."
"If there are US civilians in Iraq , they are treated in accordance with the
Islamic tenets which stipulate the killing of civilians is forbidden, but those
who fight the Iraqis must be killed as they are invaders."
Qaradawi was keen to draw a distinction between facing the US forces of Iraq and
killing American civilians, who have nothing to do with the invasion and
occupation of the oil-rich country.
"Islam forbids the killing of civilians, children, women and elderly, this is
the law of war in Islam," he maintained.
Qaradawi stressed that he has never used the term of "killing" either in his
books, lectures or speeches.

For more information about Islam:

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