THE AMMAN MESSAGE

the royal aal al-bayt institute for islamic thought

2009 jordan

THE AMMAN MESSAGE

the royal aal al-bayt institute for islamic thought

2009 jordan

the royal aal al-bayt institute for islamic thought

isbn 978- 9957-428-30-3

CONTENTS

Introduction TheAmman Message TheThree Points of theAmman Message Grand List of Signatories FrequentlyAsked Questions

v 1 16 23 83

I N TRODU CTION

heAmman Message started as a detailed statement released the eve of the 27th of Ramadan 1425 ah / 9th November 2004 ce by H.M. King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein inAmman, Jordan. It sought to declare what Islam is and what it is not, and what actions represent it and what actions do not. Its goal was to clarify to the modern world the true nature of Islam and the nature of true Islam. In order to give this statement more religious authority, H.M. KingAbdullah II then sent the following three questions to 24 of the most senior religious scholars from all around the world representing all the branches and schools of Islam: (1) Who is a Muslim? (2) Is it permissible to declare someone an apostate (takr)? (3) Who has the right to undertake issuing fatwas (legal rulings)?
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introduction
Based on the fatwas provided by these great scholars (who included the Shaykh Al-Azhar; Ayatollah Sistani and Sheikh Qaradawi), in July 2005 ce , H.M. King Abdullah II convened an international Islamic conference of 200 of the worlds leading Islamic scholars Ulama) from 50 countries. In Amman, the scholars unanimously issued a ruling on three fundamental issues (which became known as the Three Points of the Amman Message): 1. They specically recognized the validity of all 8 Mathhabs (legal schools) of Sunni, Shia and Ibadhi Islam; of traditional Islamic Theology (Asharism); of Islamic Mysticism (Susm), and of true Sala thought, and came to a precise denition of who is a Muslim. 2. Based upon this denition they forbade takr (declarations of apostasy) between Muslims. 3. Based upon the Mathahib they set forth the subjective and objective preconditions for the issuing of fatwas, thereby exposing ignorant and illegitimate edicts in the name of Islam. These Three Points were then unanimously adopted
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introduction
by the Islamic Worlds political and temporal leaderships at the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit at Mecca in December 2005. And over a period of one year from July 2005 to July 2006, theThree Points were also unanimously adopted by six other international Islamic scholarly assemblies, culminating with the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of Jeddah, in July 2006. In total, over 500 leading Muslim scholars worldwideas can be seen from the Grand List on the pages that followunanimously endorsed the Amman Message and itsThree Points. This amounts to a historical, universal and unanimous religious and political consensus (ijma) of the Ummah (nation) of Islam in our day, and a consolidation of traditional, orthodox Islam. The signicance of this is: (1) that it is the rst time in over a thousand years that the Ummah has formally and specically come to such a pluralistic mutual inter-recognition; and (2) that such a recognition is religiously legally binding on Muslims since the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: My Ummah will not agree upon an error (Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab al-Fitan, Hadith no.4085). This is good news not only for Muslims, for whom it provides a basis for unity and a solution to inghting, but also for non-Muslims. For the safeguarding of the
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introduction
legal methodologies of Islam (the Mathahib) necessarily means inherently preserving traditional Islams internal checks and balances. It thus assures balanced Islamic solutions for essential issues like human rights; womens rights; freedom of religion; legitimate jihad; good citizenship of Muslims in non-Muslim countries, and just and democratic government. It also exposes the illegitimate opinions of radical fundamentalists and terrorists from the point of view of true Islam. As George Yeo, the Foreign Minister of Singapore, declared in the 60th Session of the U.N. General Assembly (about the Amman Message): Without this clarication, the war against terrorism would be much harder to ght. Finally, whilst this by the Grace of God is a historical achievement, it will clearly remain only principial unless it is put into practice everywhere. For this reason, H.M. King Abdullah II is now seeking to implement it, God willing, through various pragmatic measures, including (1) inter-Islamic treaties; (2) national and international legislation using the Three Points of the Amman Message to dene Islam and forbid takr; (3) the use of publishing and the multi-media in all their aspects to spread theAmman Message; (4) instituting the teaching of theAmman Message in school curricula and university courses worldwide; and (5) making it part of the
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introduction
training of mosque Imams and making it included in their sermons. God says in the Holy Quran says: There is no good in much of their secret conferences save (in) whosoever enjoineth charity and fairness and peace-making among the people and whoso doeth that, seeking the good pleasure of God,We shall bestow on him a vast reward. (Al-Nisa, 4:114).

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THE AMMAN MESSAGE

THEAMMAN MESSAGE

n the name of god, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Peace and blessings upon His chosen Prophet, and upon his household, his noble blessed companions, and upon all the messengers and prophets: God Almighty has said: O humankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes that you may know each other. Truly the most honored of you before God is the most pious of you. (49:13) This is a declaration to our brethren in the lands of Islam and throughout the world that Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is proud to issue during the blessed month of Ramadan in which the Quran descended as guidance to humankind and as clarications for guidance and discernment. (2:185) In this declaration we speak frankly to the [Islamic] nation, at this difcult juncture in its history, regarding the perils that beset it. We are aware of the challenges confronting the nation, threatening its identity, assailing its tenets (kalima), and working to distort its religion and harm what is sacred to it. Today the magnanimous
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the amman message

message of Islam faces a vicious attack from those who through distortion and fabrication try to portray Islam as an enemy to them. It is also under attack from some who claim afliation with Islam and commit irresponsible acts in its name. This magnanimous message that the Originator great is His powerrevealed to the unlettered Prophet MuhammadGods blessings and peace upon him, and that was carried by his successors and the members of his household after him, is an address of brotherhood, humanity and a religion that encompasses all human activity. It states the truth directly, commands what is right, forbids what is wrong, honors the human being, and accepts others. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has embraced the path of promoting the true luminous image of Islam, halting the accusations against it and repelling the attacks upon it. This is in accordance with the inherited spiritual and historical responsibility carried by the Hashemite monarchy, honored as direct descendants of the Prophet, the Messenger of Godpeace and blessings upon himwho carried the message. For ve decades, his late Majesty King Hussein Bin Talal God rest his souldemonstrated this way with the vigorous effort that he exerted. Since the day he took the
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the amman message

ag, His Majesty King Abdullah II has continued this effort, with resolution and determination, as a service to Islam, fortifying the solidarity of 1.2 billion Muslims who comprise one fth of humanity, preventing their marginalization or extrication from the movement of human society, and afrming their role in building human civilization and participating in its progress during our present age. Islam is founded upon basic principles, the fundamentals are attesting to the unity of God (tawhidAllah); belief in the message of His Prophet; continuous connection with the Creator through ritual prayer (salat); training and rectifying the soul through the fast of Ramadan; safeguarding one another by paying the alms tax (zakat); the unity of the people through the annual pilgrimage (hajj) to Gods Sanctied House, [performed] by those who are able; and [observing] His rulings that regulate human behavior in all its dimensions. Over history these [basic principles] have formed a strong and cohesive nation and a great civilization. They bear witness to noble principles and values that verify the good of humanity, whose foundation is the oneness of the human species, and that people are equal in rights and obligations, peace and justice, realizing comprehensive secur ity, mutual social responsibility,
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the amman message

being good to ones neighbor, protecting belongings and property, honoring pledges, and more. Together, these are principles that provide common ground for the followers of religions and [different] groups of people. That is because the origin of divine religions is one, and Muslims believe in all Messengers of God and do not differentiate between any of them. Denying the message of any one of them is a deviation from Islam. This establishes a wide platform for the believers of [different] religions to meet the other upon common ground, for the service of human society, without encroaching upon creedal distinctions or upon intellectual freedom. For all of this we base ourselves upon His saying: The messenger believes in what has been revealed unto him from his Lord as do the believers. Each one believes in God and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers. We make no distinction between any of His messengersand they say: We hear, and we obey. [Grant us] Your forgiveness, our Lord. Unto You is the journeying. (2:285) Islam honors every human being, regardless of his color, race or religion: We have honored the sons of Adam, provided them transport on land and sea, sustained them with
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the amman message

good things, and conferred on them special favors above a great part of our creation. (17:70) Islam also afrms that the way of calling [others] to God is founded upon kindness and gentleness: Call to the path of your Lord with wisdom and a beautiful exhortation, and debate with them in that which is most beautiful (ahsan). (16:125) Furthermore, it shuns cruelty and violence in how one faces and addresses [others]: It is by some Mercy of God that you were gentle to them. Were you severecruel heartedthey would have broken away from you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them in the conduct of affairs. And when you are resolved, put your trust in God; truly God loves those who trust [in Him]. (3:159) Islam has made clear that the goal of its message is realizing mercy and good for all people. The Transcendent has said, We did not send you [Muhammad] but out of mercy for all creatures. (21:107) And the Prophet Muhammadblessings and peace upon Himsaid, The Merciful has mercy upon those who are merciful, be merciful to those on earth, He who is in heaven will be merciful unto you. Islam calls for treating others as one desires to be treated. It urges the tolerance and forgiveness that
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the amman message

express the nobility of the human being: The recompense for an evil is an evil equal thereto, but who forgives and reconciles, his recompense is from God. (42:40) Good and evil are not equal. Repel with what is most virtuous. Then he between whom and you there is enmity will be as if he were an intimate friend. (41:34) Islam conrms the principle of justice in interacting with others, safeguarding their rights, and conrms that one must not deny people their possessions: And let not the hatred of others make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is closer to piety; (5:8) God commands you to return trusts to their owners, and if you judge between people, you shall judge with justice; (4:58) So give [full] measure and [full] weight and do not deny the people their goods, and work no corruption in the land, after it has been set right. (7:85) Islam requires respect for pledges and covenants, and adhering to what has been specied; and it forbids treachery and treason: Fulll the covenant of God when you have entered into it, and break not oaths after they have been conrmed and you have made God your surety; truly God knows what you do. (16:91) Islam recognizes the noble station of [human] life, so there is to be no ghting against non-combatants, and no assault upon civilians and their properties, children
8

the amman message

at their mothers bosom, students in their schools, nor upon elderly men and women. Assault upon the life of a human being, be it murder, injury or threat, is an assault upon the right to life among all human beings. It is among the gravest of sins; for human life is the basis for the prosperity of humanity: Whoever kills a soul for other than slaying a soul or corruption upon the earth it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity, and whoever saves a life, it is as if has revived the whole of humanity. (5:32) The primordial religion of Islam is founded upon equanimity, balance, moderation, and facilitation: Thus have we made of you a middle nation that you might be witnesses over the people, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves. (2:143) The Prophet Muhammadpeace and blessings upon himsaid: Facilitate and do not make difcult, bear good tidings and do not deter. Islam has provided the foundation for the knowledge, reection and contemplation that has enabled the creation of this deep-rooted civilization that was a crucial link by which the West arrived at the gates of modern knowledge, and in whose accomplishments non-Muslims participated, as a consequence of its being a comprehensive human civilization. No day has passed but that this religion has been at war against extremism, radicalism and fanaticism, for
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the amman message

they veil the intellect from foreseeing negative consequences [of ones actions]. Such blind impetuousness falls outside the human regulations pertaining to religion, reason and character. They are not from the true character of the tolerant, accepting Muslim. Islam rejects extremism, radicalism and fanaticismjust as all noble, heavenly religions reject them considering them as recalcitrant ways and forms of injustice. Furthermore, it is not a trait that characterizes a particular nation; it is an aberration that has been experienced by all nations, races, and religions.They are not particular to one people; truly they are a phenomenon that every people, every race and every religion has known. We denounce and condemn extremism, radicalism and fanaticism today, just as our forefathers tirelessly denounced and opposed them throughout Islamic history. They are the ones who afrmed, as do we, the rm and unshakeable understanding that Islam is a religion of [noble] character traits in both its ends and means; a religion that strives for the good of the people, their happiness in this life and the next; and a religion that can only be defended in ways that are ethical; and the ends do not justify the means in this religion. The source of relations between Muslims and others
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the amman message

is peace; for there is no ghting [permitted] when there is no aggression. Even then, [it must be done with] benevolence, justice and virtue: God does not prevent you, as regards those who do not ght you in religions [cause], nor drive you from your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: truly God loves the just; (60:8) Then if they cease, let there be no aggression, save against the oppressors. (2:193) On religious and moral grounds, we denounce the contemporary concept of terrorism that is associated with wrongful practices, whatever their source and form may be. Such acts are represented by aggression against human life in an oppressive form that transgresses the rulings of God, frightening those who are secure, violating peaceful civilians, nishing off the wounded, and killing prisoners; and they employ unethical means, such as destroying buildings and ransacking cities: Do not kill the soul that God has made sacrosanct, save for justice. (6:151) We condemn these practices and believe that resisting oppression and conrming justice should be a legitimate undertaking through legitimate means. We call on the people to take the necessary steps to achieve the strength and steadfastness for building identity and preserving rights. We realize that over history extremism has been
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the amman message

instrumental in destroying noble achievements in great civilizations, and that the tree of civilization withers when malice takes hold and breasts are shut. In all its shapes, extremism is a stranger to Islam, which is founded upon equanimity and tolerance. No human whose heart has been illumined by God could be a radical extremist. At the same time, we decry the campaign of brazen distortion that portrays Islam as a religion that encourages violence and institutionalizes terrorism. We call upon the international community to work earnestly to implement international laws and honor the international mandates and resolutions issued by the United Nations, ensuring that all parties accept them and that they be enacted without double standards, to guarantee the return of rights to their [rightful] holders and the end of oppression. Achieving this will be a signicant contribution to uprooting the causes of violence, fanaticism and extremism. The way of this great religion that we are honored to belong to calls us to afliate with and participate in modern society, and to contribute to its elevation and progress, helping one another with every faculty [to achieve] good and to comprehend, desiring justice for all peoples, while faithfully proclaiming the truth [of
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the amman message

our religion], and sincerely expressing the soundness of our faith and beliefsall of which are founded upon Gods call for coexistence and piety. [We are called] to work toward renewing our civilization, based upon the guidance of religion, and following upon established practical intellectual policies. The primary components of these policies comprise developing methods for preparing preachers, with the goal of ensuring that they realize the spirit of Islam and its methodology for structuring human life, as well as providing them with knowledge of contemporary culture, so that they are able to interact with their communities on the basis of awareness and insight: Say, This is my way. I, and those who follow me, call for God with insight. (12:108); taking advantage of the communication revolution to refute the doubts that the enemies of Islam are arousing, in a sound, intellectual manner, without weakness or agitation, and with a style that attracts the reader, the listener and the viewer; consolidating the educational structure for individual Muslims, who are condent in their knowledge and abilities, working to form the integral identity that protects against corrupting forces; interest in scientic research and working with the modern sciences upon the basis of the Islamic perspective that distinguishes
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the amman message

between creation, life and the human being; beneting from modern achievements in the elds of science and technology; adopting an Islamic approach for realizing the comprehensive development that is founded upon [maintaining] the delicate balance between the spiritual, economic and social dimensions [of life]; providing for human rights and basic liberties, ensuring life, dignity and security, and guaranteeing basic needs; administering the affairs of society in accordance with the principles of justice and consultation; and beneting from the goods and mechanisms for adopting democracy that human society has presented. Hope lies in the scholars of our Nation, that through the reality of Islam and its values they will enlighten the intellects of our youththe ornament of our present age and the promise of our future. The scholars shield our youth from the danger of sliding down the paths of ignorance, corruption, close-mindedness and subordination. It is our scholars who illuminate for them the paths of tolerance, moderation, and goodness, and prevent them from [falling] into the abysses of extremism and fanaticism that destroy the spirit and body. We look to our scholars to lead us in partaking of our role and verifying our priorities, that they may be exemplars in religion, character, conduct, and discerning
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the amman message

enlightened speech, presenting to the nation their noble religion that brings ease [in all matters] and its practical laws in which lie the awakening and joy of the nation. Among the individuals of the nation and throughout the regions of the world, they disseminate good, peace and benevolence, through subtle knowledge, insightful wisdom and political guidance in all matters, uniting and not dividing, appeasing hearts and not deterring them, looking to the horizons of fulllment to meet the requirements and challenges of the 21st century. We ask God to prepare for our Islamic Nation the paths of renaissance, prosperity and advancement; to shield it from the evils of extremism and close-mindedness; to preserve its rights, sustain its glory, and uphold its dignity. What an excellent Lord is he, and what an excellent Supporter. GodAlmighty says: This is My straight path, so follow it. And follow not the [other] ways, lest you be parted from His way. This has He ordained for you, that you may be God-fearing. (6:152 153) And the last of our supplications is that praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. (10:10)
Amman The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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Ramadan 1425 hijri November 2004 ce

the three points of the amman message

the official text of the three points ( version 1 )

(1) Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Mathahib) of Islamic jurisprudence (Hana, Maliki, Shai and Hanbali), the two Shii schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Jafari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic jurisprudence, is a Muslim. Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and impermissible. Verily his (or her) blood, honour, and property are inviolable. Moreover, in accordance with the Shaykh Al-Azhars fatwa, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to the Ashari creed or whoever practices real Tasawwuf (Susm) an apostate. Likewise, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to true Sala thought an apostate.
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the three points

Equally, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare as apostates any group of Muslims who believes in God, Gloried and Exalted be He, and His Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) and the pillars of faith, and acknowledges the ve pillars of Islam, and does not deny any necessarily self-evident tenet of religion. (2) There exists more in common between the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence than there is difference between them. The adherents to the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are in agreement as regards the basic principles of Islam.All believe inAllah (God), Gloried and Exalted be He, the One and the Unique; that the Noble Quran is the Revealed Word of God; and that our master Muhammad, may blessings and peace be upon him, is a Prophet and Messenger unto all mankind. All are in agreement about the ve pillars of Islam: the two testaments of faith (shahadatayn); the ritual prayer (salat); almsgiving (zakat); fasting the month of Ramadan (sawm), and the Hajj to the sacred house of God (in Mecca). All are also in agreement about the foundations of belief: belief in Allah (God), His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, and in the Day of Judgment, in Divine
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the amman message

Providence in good and in evil. Disagreements between the ulama (scholars) of the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are only with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) and not as regards the principles and fundamentals (usul) [of the religion of Islam]. Disagreement with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) is a mercy. Long ago it was said that variance in opinion among the ulama (scholars) is a good affair. (3) Acknowledgement of the schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Mathahib) within Islam means adhering to a fundamental methodology in the issuance of fatwas: no one may issue a fatwa without the requisite personal qualications which each school of Islamic jurisprudence determines [for its own adherents]. No one may issue a fatwa without adhering to the methodology of the schools of Islamic jurisprudence. No one may claim to do absolute Ijtihad and create a new school of Islamic jurisprudence or to issue unacceptable fatwas that take Muslims out of the principles and certainties of the Shariah and what has been established in respect of its schools of jurisprudence.

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the three points

the three points endorsed at the islamic fiqh academy conference ( version 2 )

The Official version of the three points of the Amman Message (see above) was the version signed by most of the signatories listed in the Grand list on the following pages. The three points were also endorsed at the Islamic Fiqh Academys 17th session held in Amman, Jordan, on 24th-28th June 2006. The text had slight variations to the official text yet it followed an essentially identitical form. This is duly noted as version 2 in the Grand List.The full text is as follows: (1) Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Mathahib) of Islamic jurisprudence (Hana, Maliki, Shai and Hanbali), the two Shii schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Jafari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic jurisprudence, is a Muslim. Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and impermissible. Verily his (or her) blood, honour, and property are inviolable. Moreover, in accordance with the Shaykh Al-Azhars fatwa, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to the Ashari creed or whoever practices real Tasawwuf (Susm) an apostate.
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the amman message

Likewise, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to true Sala thought an apostate. Equally, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare as apostates any other group of Muslims who believes in God, Gloried and Exalted be He, and His Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him), the pillars of faith (Iman), and the ve pillars of Islam, and does not deny any necessarily self-evident tenet of religion. (2) There exists more in common between the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence than there is difference between them. The adherents to the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are in agreement as regards the basic principles of Islam. All believe in Allah (God), Gloried and Exalted be He, the One and the Unique; that the Noble Quran is the RevealedWord of God preserved and protected by God, Exalted be He, from any change or aberration; and that our master Muhammad, may blessings and peace be upon him, is a Prophet and Messenger unto all mankind.All are in agreement about the ve pillars of Islam: the two testaments of faith (shahadatayn); the ritual prayer (salat); almsgiving (zakat); fasting the month of Ramadan (sawm), and the Hajj to
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the three points

the sacred house of God (in Mecca).All are also in agreement about the foundations of belief: belief in Allah (God), His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, and in the Day of Judgment, in Divine Providence in good and in evil. Disagreements between the ulama (scholars) of the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are only with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) and some fundamentals (usul) [of the religion of Islam]. Disagreement with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu`) is a mercy. Long ago it was said that variance in opinion among the ulama (scholars) is a mercy. (3) Acknowledgement of the schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Mathahib) within Islam means adhering to a fundamental methodology in the issuance of fatwas: no one may issue a fatwa without the requisite qualications of knowledge. No one may issue a fatwa without adhering to the methodology of the schools of Islamic jurisprudence. No one may claim to do unlimited Ijtihad and create a new opinion or issue unacceptable fatwas that take Muslims out of the principles and certainties of the Shariah and what has been established in respect of its schools of jurisprudence.
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grand list of all religious and political leaders who have endorsed the amman message and its three points
(July 2005July 2006) Total number of signatures:552 * from 84 countries
code / conference total

True Islam and Its Role in Modern Society Conference,Amman (July 2005) [three points version 1 ] - signed Forum of Muslim Ulama andThinkers, Mecca (September 2005) - endorsed * Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence Conference, AalAl-Bayt University, Jordan (November 2005) - endorsed

201

42

33

9th Session of the Council of Ministers of Religious Endowments and IslamicAffairs, Kuwait (November 2005) - endorsed 3rd Extraordinary Session, OIC, Mecca (December 2005) - endorsed

7 54

Moderate IslamicThought and Culture,Amman (April 2006) [three points version 1 ] - signed International FiqhAcademy Conference,Amman (June 2006) [three points version 2 ] - signed

55

68

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the amman message

Muslims of Europe Conference, Istanbul (July 2006) - endorsed

157

islamic republic of afghanistan

1 H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai President

Amb. NusairAhmad Nour AfghaniAmbassador to Qatar Islamic Envoy of the Government ofAfghanistan

republic of albania
3 H.E. Mr. Florent Celiku Deputy Minister of ForeignAffairs Mr.Tahir Zenelhasani

people s democratic republic of algeria

5 H.E. Mr.AbdelAziz Belkhadem Minister of ForeignAffairs

H.E. Lakhdar Ibrahimi Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations; Former Foreign Minister ofAlgeria

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signatories
7 Prof. Dr.AbdAllah bin al-Hajj Muhammad Al GhulamAllah Minister of ReligiousAffairs Dr. Mustafa Sharif Minister of Higher Education and FormerAlgerianAmbassador in Cairo ShaykhYusuf bin Mahdi Professor and Member of the Fatwa Committee inAlgeria Dr. Said Shayban Former Minister of ReligiousAffairs Prof. Dr.AmmarAl-Talibi Department of Philosophy, University ofAlgeria Mr.Abu JaraAl-Sultani Head of theAlgerian Peace Society Movement Dr.Ammar Jaydal Batina University *

10

11

12

13

14

Dr. Muhammad Zurman Batina University

australia
15 Shaykh Salim Ulwan al-Hassani fatwa Secretary General Darulfatwa, Islamic High Council Ms. Maha KarimAbdo

16

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the amman message

austria
17 Prof.AnasAl-Shaqfa Head of the Islamic Commission AymanAly Federation of the Islamic Organizations in Europe, Graz Mr.Tarafa Baghajati Initiative ofAustrian Muslims

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republic of azerbaijan
20 H.E. Mr. IlhamAliev President

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ShaykhAl-IslamAllah-Shakur bin Hemmat Bashazada Grand Mufti, MuslimAdministration of the Caucasus

kingdom of bahrain
22 23 H.M. King Hamad bin IsaAl Khalifa Shaykh Dr. MuhammadAliAl-Sutri Minister of Justice

24

Dr. Farid binYaqubAl-Miftah Undersecretary of the Ministry for IslamicAffairs Mr. MansourAl-Jamri

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signatories
26 Dr. Ibrahim FadilAl-Dibbo Professor, Faculty of Humanities, University of Bahrain

people s republic of bangladesh

27 H.E. Begum Khaleda Zia Prime Minister

28

Prof. Dr.AbuAl-Hasan Sadiq President of theAsian University of Bangladesh Prof. ShamshirAli President of theAcademy of Sciences and UniversityVice-President

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belgium
30 Mr. Ismail Batakli Professor of Islamic Studies Mr. Mohamed Boulif President, Islamic Executive Council Mr.Ahmed Bouziane Dr. Karim Chemlal Pasteur Institute, Lille Mrs. Malika Hamidi-Hosseinpour Coordinator, European Muslim Network Mr. Ibrahim Kocaoglu

31

32 33

34

35

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36 SheikhYacob Mahi Professor of Islamic Studies,Athne Royal Lonardo da Vinci Dr.Abdelmajid Mhauchi Professor of Islamic Studies Mr. Khallad Swaid President, FEMYSO

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republic of benin
39 H.E. Mr. Dzulkii Salami Senior Minister of Planning, Economy and Development Shaykh Fathi Shitu

40

bosnia and herzegovina

41 Prof. Dr. Shaykh Mustafa Ceric Head of the Ulama and Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina Prof. Hasan Makic Mufti of Bihac

42

43

H.E. Professor Enes Karic Professor in Faculty of Islamic Studies Prof.Anes Ljevakovic Researcher and Lecturer, Islamic Studies College

44

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signatories
45 Dr.AhmetAlibasic Lecturer, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Sarajevo Mr.Amer Bukvic Islamic Development Bank Imam Senaid Kobilica Vice President, Islamic Council of Norway Mr. Mirnes Kovac Journalist, Preporod Islamic Newspaper Dr. Sukrija Ramic University of Zenica

46

47

48

49

brunei darussalam
50 51 H.M. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Prof. Suhaili bin Hajj MuhyiAl-Din Deputy Mufti of Brunei

burkina faso
52 H.E. Mr.Youssouf Ouedraogo Minister of State, Minister of ForeignAffairs Dr.Abu Bakr Dakuri Member of the Executive Council, ISESCO

53

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brazil
54 ShaykhAli MuhmmadAbduni Representative of the International IslamicYouth Club in LatinAmerica; Accredited Religious Representative of the DarAl-Fatwa of the Republic of Lebanon in Sao Paolo

republic of cameroon
55 H.E. Mr. Marfa HamidouYaya Minister of State

56

Shaykh Mahmud Malbakri Imam, Grand Mosque and President of the Council of Ulama

canada
57 Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Hanafi Scholar, Sunnipath.com Mr. Fouzan Khan Reviving the Islamic Spirit Organization

58

republic of chad
59 H.E. Mr. Idris Derby President

60

Shaykh Dr. Hussein HasanAbkar President, Higher Council for IslamicAffairs, Chad Mr.Tijani Sabun Muhammad

61

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signatories
union of comoros
62 H.E. Mr. Kub Mohamed Lisharti Deputy President

republic of cote d ivoire

63 H.E. Mr. Hamza Salleh Ambassador in Riyadh

denmark
64 Imam FatihAlev DanishAssociation of Cybermuslims

republic of djibuti
65 H.E. Mr. Ismail Omar Gulleh President

66

ShaykhAbdAl-Rahman Sulayman Bashir Member of the Higher Judiciary Council

arab republic of egypt

67 H.E. Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak President

68

H.E. Grand Imam Prof. Dr. Muhammad SayyidTantawi fatwa Shaykh al-Azhar

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the amman message

69 Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hamdi Zaqzuq Minister of ReligiousAffairs

70

Prof. Dr.Ali Jumua fatwa * Grand Mufti of theArab Republic of Egypt Prof. Dr.Ahmad MuhammadAl-Tayyib President ofAl-Azhar University

71

72

Prof. Dr. KamalAbuAl-Majd Islamic Intellectual; Former Minister of Information; Attorney in the Court of Cassation Dr. MuhammadAl-AhmadiAbuAl-Nur * Former Minister of ReligiousAffairs in theArab Republic of Egypt; Professor, Faculty of Islamic Law,Yarmouk University, Jordan Prof. Dr. FawziAl-Zifzaf Chairman of the Permanent Committee of NobleAlAzhar for DialogueAmong the Heavenly Religions; Member of theAcademy of Islamic Research Prof. Dr. Hasan Hanafi Researcher and Islamic Intellectual, Department of Philosophy, Cairo University; Fellow of theAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought Prof. Dr. Muhammad MuhammadAl-Kahlawi Secretary, General Union of IslamicArchaeologists; Dean, Faculty ofAntiquities, Fayyum Branch, Cairo University

73

74

75

76

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signatories
77 Prof. Dr.Ayman Fuad Sayyid Former Secretary General, Dar al-KutubAl-Misriyya Shaykh Dr. Zaghlul Najjar Head of the Committee onThe Miraculous Nature of the Quran in the Higher Council for IslamicAffairs, Egypt Shaykh Moez Masood Islamic Missionary

78

79

80

Prof. Dr. MuhammadAl-Dasuqi * Researcher and Member of the Forum for the Proximity of the Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence Mr.Amr Khaled Islamic Missionary Mr. Bara Kherigi Director,Awakening Records Dr. Heba Raouf Ezzat Department of Political Science, Cairo University Dr. JafarAbdussalam President of the League of Islamic Universities Dr. ShawqiAhmad Dunya Dean of the (Womens) Faculty of Commerce,Al-Azhar University Dr. Umar AbdAl-Ka

81

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86

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the amman message

87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 Dr. Huda AbdAl-Sami Eng. Amr Faruk Farid

Mr. MuhammadAl-Samman Lut Eng.AbuAl-Ala Madi

Dr. AbdAl-WahhabAl-Masiri Dr. AbdAl-Halim Oweis Mr.Ahmad Shaban Mr. HusamTammam

Mr. MuntasirAl-Zayyat Dr. Raged al-Sirjani

Dr. Muhammad Hidaya

Dr. MuhammadAbd al-MunimAbu Zayd Professor, Faculty of Shariah, Department of Islamic Economics,Yarmouk University

republic of france
99 Shaykh Prof. DalilAbu Bakr Chairman of the France Supreme Council of the Islamic Religion and Dean of the Paris Mosque Dr. Husayn Rais Director of CulturalAffairs, Paris Grand Mosque

100

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signatories
101 Prof. Dr.AbdAl-MajidAl-Najjar * President of the Islamic Centre, Paris Dr. FouadAlaoui President, Union of Islamic Organizations in France (UOIF) Ms. FatihaAjbli Sociologist

102

103

104

Ms. SihamAndalouci Member, Prsence Musulman Dr.Ahmed Bakcan Representative, Milli Grs Mr.Abdelwaheb Bakli President, MuslimYouth of France Shaykh KhalidAdlen Bentounes Alawiyah Sufi Order; Honorary President of the International Association of the Friends of Islam Mr. El Hadji Babou Biteye President, Muslim Students of France (EMF) Mr. LajThami Breze Union of Islamic Organizations in France (UOIF) Mr. Haydar Demiryrek Secretary General,The Islamic Council of France

105

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the amman message

111 Dr. Boubaker El HadjAmor Treasurer, Union of Islamic Organizations in France (UOIF) Shaykh Ounis Guergah Head of the Fatwa House, Paris Prof. Dr. mer Faruk Harman DITIP, Germany Mr. Fouad Imarraine Collecive of Muslims of France Dr.Ahmed Jaballah Member of the European Council for Fatwa and Reseach, France Mrs. Noura Ben Hamouda Jaballah President of European women forum (France) Dr. Zuhair Mahmood Institute for the Human Sciences (IESH), Paris Dr. Mohamed Mestiri Director, International Institute of IslamicThought, Paris Mr.Abdelmajid Najar

112

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119 120

Ms. Nora Rami Free Community Organization, Paris Shaykh Zakaria Seddiki

121

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signatories
122 Dr. Muhamad Bashari President, Federal Society for Muslims in France

republic of gabon
123 H.E. ElhadjAli BongoAwadamba Minister of National Defence and Chairman of Supreme Council for IslamicAffairs and Special Envoy of the President

republic of gambia
124 H.E.Alhaji Dr.YahyaA.J.J. Jammeh President

125

Mr. Samba Fall Minister of ForeignAffairs,Youth, Sport, and Religious Affairs, Gambia Prof. Dr. Omar Jah Former DeputyAssistant to the President for Special Assistance Programs, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah

126

republic of germany
127 Prof. Dr. Murad Hofmann Former GermanAmbassador to Morocco; Intellectual and Researcher

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the amman message

128 Shaykh SalahAl-DinAl-Jafarawi Assistant Secretary-General ofWorld Council for Islamic Propagation Mr. Ridvan akir President,Turkish-Islamic Union of Germany Shaykh BashirAhmad Dultz German Muslim League Mr. Belal El-Mogaddedi

129

130

131 132

Mr. Ibrahim F. El-Zayat Head of Public Relations, Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE) Dr. Sabiha El-Zayat Centre for IslamicWomen Studies, Institute for the Human Sciences (IESH), Paris Mr. Mesud Glbahar IGMG President ofYouth Organisations, Germany Mr.Ali Kizilkaya Head, Islamic Council of Germany Dr. EypA. Khler

133

134

135

136 137

Mr. Michael MuhammedAbduh Pfaff German Muslim League

138

Mr. CelalTter IGMG President of University Org., Germany

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signatories
139 Mr. RecepYildirim EuropeAssociation ofTurkish Cultural Centers, Germany Mr. OsmanYoba Mr. Nabil Chabib

140 141

republic of guinea
142 143 H.E. Mr. Cellou Dalein Diallo Prime Minister Mr.Al-Husayni Diallo Inspector General, Ministry of Justice Prof. Dr. Qutb Mustafa Sanu Department of Usul al-Fiqh, International Islamic University of Malaysia

144

republic of india
145 H.E. Maulana Mahmood Madani Member of Parliament; General Secretary, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hindi Prince JafarAl-Sadiq Mufaddal SayfAl-Din Islamic Intellectual PrinceTaha SayfAl-Din Islamic Intellectual

146

147

148

Prof. Dr. SayyidAwsafAli President of Hamdard University

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the amman message

149 Prof. Dr.AkhtarAl-Wasi Head of the Bureau of Islamic Studies, Dean of the College of Humanities and Languages; Director of the Dhakir Husayn Centre for Islamic Studies

republic of indonesia
150 H.E. Dr.Alawi bin Shihab Coordinating Minister for PeoplesWelfare and Special Envoy of the President Dr Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni Minister of ReligiousAffairs Dr.TuttyAlawiyah President,Al-Shafii Islamic University Amb. RabhanAbdAl-Wahhab Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan ShaykhAl-HajjAhmad Hashim Muzadi Chairman, Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia Shaykh Rozy Munir Vice-Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia Mr. Muhamad Iqbal Sullam International Conference of Islamic Scholars, Indonesia Dr. Muhammad Masyuri Naim Professor, Islamic University

151

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signatories
158 Prof. Dr. M. Din Syamsuddin Chairman of Muhammadiyah

islamic republic of iran

159 Supreme Spiritual Leader GrandAyatollah Al-SayyidAli Khamenei fatwa H.E. Dr. MahmoodAhmedinejad President GrandAyatollah Shaykh MuhammadAliAl-Taskhiri fatwa Secretary General, Forum for the Proximity of the Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence GrandAyatollahAl-Sayyid Fadil Lankarani fatwa

160 161

162 163

GrandAyatollah MuhammadWaez-zadeh Al-Khorasani Former Secretary General, Forum for the Proximity of the Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence GrandAyatollah Prof. Dr.Al-Sayyid Mustafa Mohaghegh Damad Director of theAcademy of Sciences; Justice in the Ministry of Justice; Head of the Inspectorate General HujjatAl-Islam Dr. Mahmoud Mohammadi Iraqi Chairman of the Cultural League and Islamic Relations in the Islamic Republic of Iran

164

165

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the amman message

166 Dr.Al-Sayyid Mahmoud MarashiAl-Najafi Head of the GrandAyatollah MarashiAl-Najafi Library Dr. MuhammadAliAdharshab Secretary-General,Arab-Iranian Friendship Society Mr. Murtada Hashim Bur Qadi Secretary-General, Bureau for International Relations, Great Islamic Encyclopaedia ShaykhAbbasAli Sulaymani Representative of the Supreme Spiritual Leader in Eastern Iran Mr. Ghulam Rida Mirzai Member, Consultative Council Dr. Syed Muhammad Rida Khatimi Political leader; Former Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Shaykh Muhammad Shariati FormerAdvisor to the President of Iran; Member of Parliament Amb. Muhammad Kazem Khuwansari Permanent Representative of Iran to the OIC Mr. Ma ShaAllah Mahmoud ShamsAl-Waithin Journalist andWriter Dr. Ruqayya RustumYurmaki Imam Sadiq University *

167

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signatories
176 Dr. Mojgan Sakhaei * Imam Sadiq University ShaykhAhmad Mablaghi Professor, Qom Seminary

177

178

Dr. Gholam Reza Noor-Mohammadi Director, Centre for Islamic Medical Research, Imam alSadiq University, Qom; Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University ofTehran Shaykh Hassan Jawahiri Zadeh Professor, Religious Seminary, Qom

179

republic of iraq
180 H.E. Mr. JalalTalabani President fatwa fatwa

181 182 183

GrandAyatollahAl-SayyidAli Sistani GrandAyatollah Shaykh IshaqAl-Fayad

GrandAyatollahAl-Sayyid Muhammad SaidAlHakim fatwa GrandAyatollah Shaykh BashirAl-Najafi fatwa

184 185

GrandAyatollahAl-Sayyid Shaykh Hussein Ismail Al-Sadr fatwa GrandAyatollah Shaykh HusaynAl-Muayyad Knowledge Forum, Baghdad *

186

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the amman message

187 GrandAyatollahAhmad al-Bahadili Islamic Missionary Shaykh Dr. HarithAl-Dari Head of Ulema organization Dr. Muhsin AbdAl-Hamid

188

189 190

Dr.AhmadAbdAl-GhaffurAl-Samarai Head of the Diwan of the SunniWaqf Al-SayyidAbd al-SahibAl-Khoei Secretary General, ImamAl-Khoei Benevolent Foundation Al-Sayyid MuhammadAl-Musawi Secretary General,World IslamicAhlAl-Bayt League Shaykh Dr. Mahmoud Mhd. DawudAl-Sumaydai Prof. Dr.AbdAl-AzizAl-Duri Researcher and Historian, Department of History, University of Jordan; Fellow ofAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought Prof. Dr. BashsharAwwad Marouf * Researcher and Editor; Fellow ofAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought ShaykhAbbasAli KashifAl-Ghita College of Islamic Studies, University of al-Kufa Dr.AbdAl-HamidAl-Najdi Islamic Intellectual

191

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193 194

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signatories
198 ShaykhWalid FarajAllahAl-Asadi College of Islamic Studies, University of al-Kufa Shaykh Prof. Dr.AhmadAl-Kubaysi Missionary and Islamic Intellectual

199

200

Prof. Ghanem Jawad Director of CulturalAffairs, Khoei Benevolent Foundation Mr. MuhammadAllawi Assistant Director General,World IslamicAhlAl-Bayt League Prof. SadAl-Malla Islamic Intellectual Dr. MustafaAbdAl-Ilah KamalAl-Din Islamic Intellectual Prof. Dr.AdnanAliAl-Faraji Islamic University Dr.Aziz RashidAl-Dayini Islamic University * *

201

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206

Dr.AbdAl-Qadir MustafaAl-Muhammadi Islamic University Mr. AlaAl-DinAl-Mudarris Researcher and Historian *

207

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the amman message

republic of ireland
208 Mr. Nooh al-Kaddo Director, Islamic Cultural Centre of Irelands

italy
209 Mr.Yahya Sergio Pallavicini Vice President, Islamic Religious Community of Italy (CO.RE.IS.) Dr.AliAbu Shwaima Head, Islamic Centre of Milan

210

hashemite kingdom of jordan

211 212 H.M. KingAbdullah II binAl-Hussein

Prof. Dr. HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad Personal Envoy and SpecialAdvisor to HM KingAbdullah II binAl-Hussein; Chairman of the Board ofTrustees of theAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought Shaykh IzzedineAl-KhatibAl-Tamimi IslamicAffairsAdvisor to HM the King; Chief Justice Prof. Dr.Abdul-SalamAl-Abbadi Former Minister of IslamicAffairs; President,Aal al-Bayt University Prof. Dr. ShaykhAhmad Hlayyel Advisor to HM the King and Imam of the Royal Court

213

214

215

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signatories
216 Shaykh SaidAl-Hijjawi Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Mr.Akel Bultaji Advisor to HM the King Prof. Dr. KhalidTouqan Minister of Education; Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research H.E. Shaykh Salim Falahat Director General of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan H.E. Shaykh Dr.AbdAl-Aziz Khayyat Former Minister of ReligiousAffairs

217

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221

Shaykh NuhAl-Quda Former Mufti of the JordanianArmed Forces Prof. Dr. KhalidAl-Karaki Deputy-Chairman of the Board ofTrustees,Aal al-Bayt Inst. for IslamicThought; President, Jerash Private University Prof. Dr. IshaqAl-Farhan President of Zarqa Private University; Former Minister of Education Prof. Kamil Ismail HamdanAl-Sharif Secretary General, International Council for Islamic Propagation and Relief

222

223

224

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the amman message

225 Dr.AbdAl-LatifArabiyyat Former Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament; Chairman of the Consultative Committee of the Islamic Action Front ShaykhAbdAl-Karim Salim S.Al-Khasawneh Grand Mufti of the JordanianArmed Forces

226

227

Prof. Dr.AdelAl-Toweisi * Former President,Aal al-Bayt University; Minister of Culture Prof. Dr.YusufAl-Ghaydhan Dean of the University Faculty of Religion, BalqaApplied University Shaykh HasanAl-Saqqaf Advisor to the Chairman of the Board ofTrustees of the Aal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought; Director of ImamAl-Nawawi Publishers and Distributors Eng. MarwanAl-Faouri Chairman, Forum for Moderation inThought and Culture Mrs. NawalAl-Faouri Educator and Islamic Intellectual Prof. Dr.AbdAl-NasirAbuAl-Basal Former Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law,Yarmouk University

228

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232

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signatories
233 Mr. BilalAl-Tal Editor-in-Chief, Liwa Newspaper Prof. Dr.AzmiTahaAl-Sayyid College of Jurisprudential and Legal Studies,Aal al-Bayt University Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hisham Sultan * Vice-President for Islamic Studies,Aal al-Bayt University Prof. Dr. ZiyadAl-Daghamin * Dean of the College of Jurisprudential and Juridical Studies, Head of the Preparatory Committee of the Internal Islamic Conference Dr. Rashid Said Shahwan Faculty of Islamic Propagation and the Fundamentals of Religion, BalqaApplied University Prof. Dr. QahtanAl-Duri * Aal al-Bayt University Prof. Dr. SharifAl-Shaykh SalihAl-Khatib Aal al-Bayt University *

234

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240

Prof. Dr.AbdAl-MajidAl-Salahin * Dean of the College of Islamic Law, University of Jordan Dr. Hayil AbdAl-Haz

241 242 243

Shaykh AbdAl-KarimAl-Akor Mr. HaythamAl-Amayreh

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the amman message

244 245 246 247 248 Dr. MuhammadAl-Khatib Mr. HatimAl-Manasir Dr. MalikAl-Moumini

Dr. MuhammadAl-Qada Dr. FayezAl-Rabi

republic of kazakhstan
249 H.E. Mr.Askar Mussinov Ambassador in Riyadh and Special Envoy of the President

kenya
250 ShaykhAbdullahiAbdi Chief Executive Officer, NorthernAid

state of kuwait
251 H.H. Shaykh SabahAlAhmadAl JaberAl Sabah Prime Minister Dr.Abdullah Matuq al-Matuq Minister ofAwqaf and ReligiousAffairs, Kuwait Prof. Dr.AbdullahYusufAl-Ghoneim Head of the Kuwaiti Centre for Research and Study Dr.AdelAbdullahAl-Fallah

252

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254

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signatories
Undersecretary of the Ministry of ReligiousAffairs 255 Dr. MohamedAbdul GhaffarAl-Sharif Secretary-General, Secretariat General of ReligiousAffairs Dr. MuhammadAbdAllah JafarAl-Sharif Undersecretary ofWaqf Foundation

256

257

Dr. Khaled MadhkourAbdallah Madhkour Professor, Faculty of Shariah, University of Kuwait Mr. Mutlaq RashedAl-Qarawi

258 259

Shaykh Dr. Ajil Jassim al-Nashami Professor, Faculty of Shariah, University of Kuwait Dr.Ahmad Rajai al-Jundi Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences, Kuwait

260

kyrgyz republic
261 H.E. Mr. Dastan Sarygulov Secretary of State

republic of lebanon
262 H.E. Mr. Fouad Sinoura Prime Minister

263

Prof. Dr. Hisham Nashabeh Chairman of the Board of Higher Education Dean of Education at MakassedAssociation

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the amman message

264 265 Al-Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah fatwa

Shaykh Muhammad Rashid Qabbani Grand Mufti, Republic of Lebanon (Mufti of the Sunni Muslims) Prof. Dr. Hani Fahs Member of the Higher Shii Council ShaykhAbdullah al-Harari Head of the Habashi Order fatwa

266

267

268

Prof. Dr. RidwanAl-Sayyid Faculty of Humanities, Lebanese University; Editor-in-Chief,Al-Ijtihad Magazine Prof. MuhammadAl-Sammak Secretary-General of the National Council for IslamicChristian Dialogue; Secretary-General for the Islamic Spiritual Summit Jafari Qadi ShaykhAsadAllahAl-Harashi Higher Islamic Shii Council Shaykh KhalilAl-Mays Mufti of Zahleh andWestern Beqa ShaykhAbdAl-Emir Qublan Deputy Head of the Higher Shii Counci Prof. Dr. ZakariyyaAbdAl-RazzaqAl-Misri ImamAl-Awzai University *

269

270

271

272

273

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signatories
274 275 276 277 278 279 Prof. Dr.AhmadAl-Sahmarani ImamAl-Awzai University Dr. Muhammad Assaf Dr.AsadAl-Sahmarani fatwa *

ShaykhAbdAl-Naser Jabri

Shaykh Jamil Muhammad Husseini Mr. Hasan Farhat

great socialist people s libyan arab jamahiriya

280 H.E. Mr.Abdel Rahman Mohamed Shalqam Minister of ForeignAffairs

281

Prof. IbrahimAliAbuAl-QasimAl-Rabu Secretary of the Office of Conferences, International Islamic Propagation Society Dr.Al-Ujaili FarhatAl-Miri Official for Dialogue in the International Islamic Popular Leadership Dr. MuhammadAl-Ziyadi President, International Islamic Call University Prof. Dr. HamzahAbu Faris Al-Fatih University *

282

283

284

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the amman message

285 Mr.AbdAl-Salam MuhammadAl-SharifAl-Alim Al-Fatih University *

macedonia
286 Mr. Rufat Sherifi

malaysia
287 H.E. Dato SeriAbdullah bin HajiAhmad Badawi Prime Minister Dr.Anwar Ibrahim Former Deputy Prime Minister Dato Dr.Abdul Hamid Othman Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Kamal Hasan President, Islamic International University, Kuala Lumpur Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali Dean of the International Institute of IslamicThought and Civilisation Mr. Shahidan Kasem First Minister of Perlis State, Malaysia Mr. Khayri JamalAl-Din Deputy Chairman for theYouth Sector, the United Malays National Organisation

288

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signatories
294 Dr. Salih Qadir KarimAl-Zanki International Islamic University *

maldives
295 H.E. Mr. MaumoonAbdul Gayoom President Dr. MahmudAl-Shawqi Minister of Education

296

297

Shaykh Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim President of the Supreme Council for IslamicAffairs

republic of mali
298 H.E. Mr.AmadouToumaniToure President

299

Mr. Sidi MohamedYoussouf Djire General President of the Islamic Foundation for Production

islamic republic of mauritania

300 H.E. Mr.Al Ould Mohamed Fal President

301

H.E. ShaykhAbdallah Bin Bayyah fatwa FormerVice President of Mauritania;Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars

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the amman message

302 Mr.Al-HajjWuldAl-HajiAhmad Advisor to the Minister of Education and Islamic Guidance Mr. Cheikhna Bin Bayyah

303

mauritius
304 Shaykh Ghulam Muhammad Chairman and Secretary General of the Blue Crescent Society

moldova
305 Mr.AbdulraheemAljabari

kingdom of morocco
306 307 H.M. King MohammedVI Prof. Dr.AbbasAl-Jarari Advisor to HM the King

308

Prof. Dr.AbdAl-Hadi BuTalib FormerAdvisor to HM the King

309

Amb.Al-Makki Kawan Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Kuwait, representing Dr.AhmadAl-Tawfiq, Minister of ReligiousAffairs, Kingdom of Morocco

56

signatories
310 Prof. Dr.AbdelhadiAl-Tazi Fellow of the Royal MoroccanAcademy; Former Ambassador Prof. Dr. Mohammad FaroukAl-Nabhan Former Director of DarAl-HadithAl-Hasaniyya Prof. Dr.Ahmad Shawqi Benbin Director of the Hasaniyya Library

311

312

313

Dr. Hamdati Chbihanna Malainine Member, Supreme Constitutional Council; President, Regional Scientic Council,Al-Qunaitra Prof. Dr. NajatAl-Marini Department ofArabic Language, MohammedV University Dr.Abdul FilaliAnsary Director, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, Aga Khan University Dr.Abdel-KabeerAl-Madghari Former Minister ofWaqf and IslamicAffairs Dr. MaryamAyatAhmad Mr. MuhammadAl-Amin Mr. MuhammadTullabi Dr. SadAl-DinAl-Uthmani

314

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316

317 318 319 320

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the amman message

republic of mozambique
321 H.E. Mr.ArisAli Minister of Education and Culture

the netherlands
322 Mr. Zakaria Hamidi Director, New Horizon

republic of niger
323 H.E. Mr. HamaAmadou Prime Minister

federal republic of nigeria

324 H.E. Mr Ibrahim Mousa Kazawari Ambassador in Riyadh H.H. Prince HajiAdo Bayero Emir of Kano

325

326

Mr. Sulayman Osho Secretary General of the Islamic Conference forAfrica Dr.Ahmad Limu Head of the Organization of the Islamic Endowment for Education and Guidance Dr.Al-KhidrAbdAl-Baqi Muhammad Researcher andWriter *

327

328

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signatories
norway
329 Mr. Brahim Belkilani Journalist, ITRI

330

Dr. Lena Larsen Coordinator,The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, Uni. of Oslo

sultanate of oman
331 H.H.Al SyedAsaad binTareqAl Said Special Envoy of the Sultan ShaykhAhmad bin HamadAl-Khalili Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman fatwa

332

333

ShaykhAhmad bin SaudAl-Siyabi General Secretary in the Office of the Grand Mufti Dr.AbdAllah MubarakAl-Shanfari University Professor, University of Dhofar Shaykh Dr. Kahlan bin NahbanAl-Kharusi * JurisprudentialAdvisor in the Ofce for the Issuance of Fatwas Mr.Aah binAhmadAl-Khalili * Researcher in the Ofce for the Issuance of Fatwas AbdAl-LatifAl-Humaym

334

335

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337

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the amman message

republic of pakistan
338 H.E. General Pervez Musharraf President H.E.Ambassador MuhammadAslam Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Kuwait representing Dr. Muhammad IjazAl-Haqq, Minister of ReligiousAffairs, Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shaykh Mufti MuhammadTaqi Uthmani fatwa Deputy Chairman, Islamic Fiqh Council, Jeddah; Vice President, Dar al-Ulum, Karachi Shaykh Dr. MuhammadTahir ul-Qadri Director General, Centre for Islamic Research, Islamabad Prof. Dr. Zafar IshaqAnsari Director General, Centre for Islamic Research, Islamabad Dr. Reza Shah-Kazemi Researcher and Islamic Intellectual H.E.AmbassadorArif Kamal Ambassador of the Republic of Pakistan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan H.E. Prof. Dr. MahmoudAhmad Ghazi President of the Islamic University, Islamabad; Former Minister of ReligiousAffairs, Pakistan

339

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signatories
state of palestine
346 H.E. Mr.Ahmed Qorei Prime Minister Shaykh Dr. Ikrimah Sabri Grand Mufti of Jerusalem andAll of Palestine; Imam of the BlessedAl-Aqsa Mosque ShaykhTaysir RajabAl-Tamimi Chief Justice of Palestine Dr. Mustafa MahmudYusufAbu Suway Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Islamic Studies inAl-Quds University Dr. MuhammadAliAl-Salibi Al-Najah University Dr. MarwanAliAl-Qaddumi Al-Najah University *

347

348

349

350

351

poland
352 Dr. Samir Ismail

portugal
353 Mr.Abdool MagidVakil Chairman, Banco Efisa Mr. Sohail Nakhooda Editor-in-Chief, Islamica Magazine

354

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the amman message

qatar
355 H.E. Shaykh Hamad bin JassemAlThani First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Dr. ShaykhYusufAl-Qaradawi fatwa Director of the Sunna and Sira Council;Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars ShaykhThaqil bin Sayer ZaydAl-Shammari Justice, Court of Cassation, Member of the Supreme Judicial Council Prof. Dr.AishaAl-Manai Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law, University of Qatar ShaykhAbdAl-Rahman binAbdAllah bin ZaydAl Mahmud Member of Prominent Persons Committee, Organization of the Islamic Conference Dr.Ali MuhyiAl-Din Qaradaghi Professor, Faculty of Shariah, University of Qatar Dr.AliAhmadAl-Salus Professor, Faculty of Shariah, University of Qatar Shaykh Mohammad HajYusufAhmad Imam, Doha Mosque

356

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359

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signatories
russian federation
363 Shaykh RawiAynAl-Din Mufti; Head of the Muslim ReligiousAdministration Prof. Dr. Said Hibatullah Kamilev Director, Moscow Institute of Islamic Civilisation Dr. Murad Murtazein President, Islamic University, Moscow Mr. RushanAbassoof Director of ExternalAffairs, Dept. of Council of Muftis, Russia Mr.YakupovValiulla Assistant to the Chief Mufti ofTatarstan

364

365

366

367

kingdom of saudi arabia

368 H.M. KingAbdullah binAbdelAzizAl Saud King of SaudiArabia; Custodian of theTwo Holy Mosques Dr.AbdAl-Aziz bin UthmanAl-Touaijiri Director General,The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) H.E. ShaykhAbdAllah Sulayman bin Mani Member, Council of Senior Ulama of SaudiArabia Dr. Hassan bin Mohamed Safar Professor, Islamic Studies Department, Faculty of Humanities KingAbdulaziz University, Jeddah

369

370

371

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the amman message

372 373 374 375 376 Mr.AbobakrAbdelfatah ShaykhAli Baddahdah Dr. SalihAl-Wuhaibi

Shaykh AbdAllahYahya

Mr. NabilAbdAl-Ilah Nassif Assistant to the President forAssistanceAffairs Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah Dr. Muhammad JabrAl-Alfi Professor, Higher Judiciary Institute, Department of Comparative Jurisprudence, Riyadh Dr. Muhammad binYahya bin HasanAl-Najimi Associate Professor, King Fahd Defence College

377

378

379

Dr.AhmadAbd al-AlimAbdAl-Latif Researcher, Department of Studies,The International Islamic FiqhAcademy, Jeddah Dr.AbdAl-Qahir Qamar Researcher, Department of Studies,The International Islamic FiqhAcademy, Jeddah Shaykh al-Habib Muhammad binAbdurrahman al-Saqqaf Dr. MohamedAliAl-Bar King Fahd Centre for Medical Research

380

381

382

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signatories
republic of senegal
383 H.E. Mr.AbdoulayeWade President

384

Mr.Al-Hajj Mustafa Sisi SpecialAdvisor to the President of Senegal Prof.Abdallah Bah President of the Union of Volunteers in Islamic Education and Culture Prof.AbadirTiyam University Press and President of the National Society, Dakar Prof.Ahmad Mukhtar Embo Former Director General, UNESCO, Paris Prof. Rohan Mbaye Director, Islamic Institute, Dakar

385

386

387

388

republic of sierra leone

389 H.E.Alhaji Dr.AhmadTejan Kabbah President

republic of singapore
390 Dr.Yaqub Ibrahim Minister of the Environment andWater Resources, and MuslimAffairs

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republic of somalia
391 H.E. Mr.AbdullahYoussefAhmed President

republic of south africa

392 Shaykh Ibrahim Gabriels Head of SouthAfrican Ulama

spain
393 Mr. Mansur Escudero Spanish Islamic Commission Mr.Ali Boussaid Islamic League for Dialogue and Conviviality

394

republic of sudan
395 H.E. General Omar HassanAl Bashir President AbdAl-Rahman SawarAl-Dhahab Former President of the Republic of Sudan Al-ImamAl-SadiqAl-Mahdi Former Prime Minister of Sudan, Head ofAnsar Movement Dr. IsamAhmadAl-Bashir Minister of Guidance and ReligiousAffairs

396

397

398

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signatories
399 Mr.TariqAli Bakhit Director in the General Secretariat and Head of Cultural and IslamicThought Committee, Khartoum Prof. Dr. Izz al-Din Umar Musa Lecturer in the Department of History, Malik Saud University, Riyadh Dr. Muhammad Mahjub Harun Journalist and University Professor, University of Khartoum Dr.AhmadAliAl-Imam Advisor to the Sudanese President Dr. Mustafa Uthman Ismail Former Foreign Minister of Sudan Special Envoy of the Secretary General of theArab League Dr. IbrahimAhmad Uthman Secretary General, Supreme Judiciary Council Dr.Ahmad Khaled Babacar Secretary General of the Islamic FiqhAcademy of Sudan

400

401

402

403

404

405

sweden
406 Mr. Mahmoud Khalfi Driri

switzerland
407 Prof.Tariq Ramadan Islamic intellectual

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syrian arab republic
408 H.E. Mr. FaroukAl-Sharaa Minister of ForeignAffairs

409

Shaykh Dr.Ahmad Badr Hasoun Grand Mufti of the SyrianArab Republic Prof. Dr. Muhammad Said RamadanAl-Buti Head of the Religion Department, Faculty of Law, University of Damascus Prof. Dr. ShaykhWahba MustafaAl-Zuhayli Head of Department of Islamic Jurisprudence and its Schools, Islamic Law Faculty, Damascus University Dr. SalahAl-DinAhmad Kuftaro Director General, ShaykhAhmad KuftaroAcademy and Islamic Intellectual Dr. MuhammadTawfiq SaidAl-Buti Professor of Shariah at Damascus University Dr. MahmudAl-Sayyid Academic Researcher in the Centre of Islamic Studies, School of Oriental andAfrican Studies, University of London ShaykhAbdallahAdhami Islamic missionary and scholar Dr. Muhammad Habash

410

411

412

413

414

415

416

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417 Dr. MuhammadAbd al-Latif Saleh al-Farfur Secretary General, International ScienticAcademy Prof. Dr.AbdAl-SattarAbu Ghuddah President of the United Shariah Council of the Baraka Group, Jeddah

418

republic of tajikistan
419 H.E. Mr. ImamAly Rahmanov President

thailand
420 Mr.Wan Muhammad Nur Matha Advisor to the Prime Minister Amb.Wiboon Khusakul Ambassador ofThailand in Baghdad

421

republic of togo
422 H.E. Mr. ZarifouAyva Minister of ForeignAffairs

republic of tunisia
423 Mr. MohamedAl-Ghanousi Prime Minister

424

Prof. Dr.Al-HadiAl-Bakkoush Former Prime Minister ofTunisia

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425 Dr.Abu BakerAl-Akhzuri Minister of ReligiousAffairs Prof. Dr.AliAl-Shabi Chairman of the Higher Islamic Council; Former Minister of IslamicAffairs Prof. Ibrahim Chabbouh Advisor to the Higher Chairman of theAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought; Director of theAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought Shaykh Dr. MohammadAl Habib ibnAl Khojah Secretary-General, Int. Islamic Fiqh Council, Jeddah Prof. Dr. MuhammadAl-BashirAl-Buzaydi Director of the Higher Institute for the Fundamentals of Religion, Zaytuna University Mr.AhmadAl-Ujaymi Advisor in the Ofce of the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Shaykh Dr. Rachid Ghannouchi Leader of Ennada Prof. Habib Shaybub Writer and Historian

426

427

428

429

430

431

432

433

Dr.AmirAl-Zamali Advisor of IslamicWorldAffairs, International Committee for the Red Cross

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signatories
434 Dr. Shaykh Mohieddine Gadi The Higher Islamic Council,Tunis Dr.Taieb Salama The Higher Islamic Council,Tunis

435

republic of turkey
436 H.E. Mr. BulentArinc President of the GrandTurkishAssembly Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Secretary-General, Organisation of the Islamic Conference H.E. Prof. Dr. MehmetAydin Minister of State, Government ofTurkey Prof. Dr.Ali Bardakoglu Head of ReligiousAffairs Directorate Prof. Dr.AliAuzak Head of the Endowment for Islamic Scientific Studies, Istanbul Prof. Dr. Mualla Saljuq Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law,Ankara Prof. Dr. Mustafa agrici Grand Mufti of Istanbul and Professor of Islamic Philosophy

437

438

439

440

441

442

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443 Prof. Ibrahim Kafi Dnmez Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at the University of Marmara Dr.Ali Ihsan Bala * YzncYil University Mr. Ufuk Gken Advisor to the Secretary General of the OIC Mr. MustafaAkyol Writer and journalist Dr. MuhammetArui Turkish Religious Endownment (DiyanetVakfi) Prof. Dr.AkifAydin Marmara University

444

445

446

447

448

449 450 451

Mr. KurtuluAykan Dr. Savas Barin Ms. Selin Blme Marmara University Prof.Ali Dere ForeignAffairs Department, Presidency of Religious Affairs,Ankara Mr. Muammer Dumanli Mr.Ahmet Hakan

452

453 454

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signatories
455 Dr. Ibrahim Kalin Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, College of the Holy Cross, USA; Director, SETAFoundation,Ankara Prof. Recep Kaymakcan Assistant Professor of Religious Education, Sakarya University H.E.Ambassador Fazli Kesmir CounsellorTurkish Embassy and Permanent Representative ofTurkey to FAO, Rome Dr.Abdlhamid Kirmizi Mr. Fehmi Koru Journalist,Yeni Safak Dr.Ali Kse Lecturer, Faculty ofTheology, Marmara University Mr.Talha Kse

456

457

458 459

460

461 462

Prof.Talip Kukcan Centre for Islamic Studies, Istanbul Ambassador mr Orhun OCSE Personal Representative on Combating Islamophobia Mr.Taha zhan

463

464 465

Prof. Mehmet Paaci Faculty ofTheology,Ankara University

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466 Mr.Ali Sarikaya President, Islamic ConferenceYouth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation Prof. Blent Senay Professor of Comparative Religion, Uludag University, Bursa Dr. Nazife Sisman

467

468 469

Dr. IsmailTaspinar Faculty ofTheology, Marmara University Mr.Ahmet SelimTekelioglu SETA,Anakara

470

471

Dr. NuriTinaz Centre for Islamic Studies, Istanbul Mrs. mareYazar

472 473

ProfessorAli MuratYel Lecturer in Sociology andAnthropology, Fatih University

turkmenistan
474 H.E. Mr. Rashid Mirdov Minister of ForeignAffairs

ukraine
475 Mufti ShaykhAhmadTamim Mufti of Ukraine

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signatories
uganda
476 Mr.AnasAbdunnoor Kalissa Director of Research and Shariah

united arab emirates

477 H.H. Shaykh Khalifa bin ZayedAl Nahyan President

478 479

H.H.Ambassador Nasir binAbdAllah bin Hamdan Mr.Ali binAl-SayyidAbdAl-RahmanAl-Hashim Advisor to the President for Judiciary and ReligiousAffairs Shaykh MuhammadAl-Banani Judge in the Supreme Federal Court Dr. Saleh bin ZabinAl-Marzuqi Secretary-General, International Islamic FiqhAcademy, Jeddah MuhammadAbdulrahim SultanAl-Ulama Deputy-Dean of Scientific ResearchAffairs, UnitedArab Emirates University Dr. Hamad binAl-SheikhAhmadAl-Chibani Secretary-General, Bureau for IslamicAffairs and CharitableWorks, Dubai Shaykh Mansur Etah al-Minhali Director, IslamicAffairs andAwqaf

480

481

482

483

484

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485 Dr.AhmadAbdulAzizAl-Haddad Chief Mufti, Bureau of IslamicAffairs and Charitable Works, Dubai ShaykhTalib MuhammadAl-Shehi Preacher, Ministry of Justice and IslamicAffairs Dr. MahmudAhmadAbu Layl Professor, Faculty of Shariah,Al-Ain University Dr. Khalid SulaymanAl-Fahdawi Dr.Ali Muhammad Ujla

486

487

488 489 490

Dr. MuhammadAl-Zahili Dean, Faculty of Shariah, University of Sharjah

united kingdom
491 Dr.Abbas Mahajarani Member of the ImamAl-Khoei Benevolent Foundation Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha Expert,The International Islamic FiqhAcademy, Jeddah Mr. ShamsVellani Director, Special Studies,The Institute of Ismaili Studies Dr. Farhad Daftary Associate Director,The Institute of Ismaili Studies ShaykhYusuf Islam Islamic Missionary

492

493

494

495

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signatories
496 Dr. Fuad Nahdi Editor-in-Chief, Q-News International ShaykhWanisAl-Mabrouk * Representative, Union of Muslim Organisations of UK& EIRE Mr. Sharif Banna Co-Founder,Awakening Records; President, Union of Muslim Students in the UK Mr. SamiYusuf Islamic singer

497

498

499

500

MohamedAbdulAziz Director, Faithwise

501

Dr. ManazirAhsan Director,The Islamic Foundation Mr. KhurshidAhmed British Muslim Forum (BMF) Mrs. FareenaAlam Editor, Q-News International Dr.Anas Shaikh-Ali Director, International Institute of IslamicThought, London Mr.AhmedAl-Rawi President, Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe

502

503

504

505

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506 507 Mr. IsmailAmla

Mr. IqbalAsaria Finance Director, Muslim Council of Britain Dr. MehmetAsutay Department of Economics, Durham University Mr.Yasar olak Counsellor forTurkish ReligiousAffairs in London Mr. Said Ferjani MuslimAssociation of Britain Dr. Sophie Gilliat-Ray Cardiff University

508

509

510

511

512 513

Mr.AbdelRahman Helbawy Mr. Dilwar Hussain The Islamic Foundation Mrs. Sarah Joseph Editor, Emel Magazine Mr.Wakkas Khan President, FOSIS

514

515

516

Mr. Mustafa Kker Chief Editor, Haber Newspapers (Turkish) Ms. Maleiha Malik Department of Law, Kings College

517

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signatories
518 Ms. Unaiza Malik Muslim Council of Britain Mr.Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed Dr. Mohamed Mukadam Association of Muslim Schools Mr.Ahmed Musawi

519 520

521 522

Prof. Farhan Nizami Director, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Mr. Habibur Rahman

523 524

Sir Iqbal Sacranie Former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain Shaykh HaythamTamim Utrujj Institute Mr.AhmedVersi Editor,The Muslim News Mr. ShaukatWarraich Community leader

525

526

527

528

ShaykhAbdal Hakim Murad /TimWinter Lecturer, University of Cambridge Mr. HaiderAli Book distributor

529

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united states of america
530 H.E. Prof. Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr Author and Professor of Islamic Studies at the George Washington University Shaykh HamzaYusuf Hanson President of the Zaytuna Institute Shaykh FaisalAbdur Rauf Imam of NewYork City Central Mosque Prof. Dr. Ingrid Mattson Professor of Islamic Studies, Hartford Seminary; President of the Islamic Society of NorthAmerica (ISNA) Prof. Dr. SuleimanAbdallah Schleifer Director Emeritus of theAdham Center forTelevision Journalism Mr. NihadAwad Executive Director, Council onAmerican-Islamic Relations Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller Islamic Missionary and Intellectual; Fellow of theAal al-Bayt Institute for IslamicThought Sheikh Suhaib D.Webb Islamic Missionary

531

532

533

534

535

536

537

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538 Dr. Caner Dagli SpecialAdvisor for InterfaithAffairs, Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan; Professor of Islamic Studies, Roanoke College, USA Prof. James Morris Univesity of Exeter

539

540 541

Mr. RadwanAl-Masmudi

Prof. Joseph Lumbard Former SpecialAssistant to H.M. KingAbdullah II for InterfaithAffairs

republic of uzbekistan
542 H.E. Mr. Shawkat Sirdayev Prime Minister

543

Shaykh MuhammadAl-Sadiq MuhammadYusuf Grand Mufti of the Republic Prof.Yusufov Ortoqbek Islamic Intellectual

544

republic of yemen
545 H.E. GeneralAliAbdullah Saleh President

546

Shaykh Muhammad bin Muhammad Ismail Al-Mansur fatwa

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547 548

Shaykh Humud bin Abbas al-Muayyad fatwa Shaykh Ibrahim bin MuhammadAl-Wazir fatwa Secretary General of the Islamic Unification andWorks Movement Shaykh Habib Umar bin Muhammad bin Salim bin Hafiz Principal, Dar al-Mustafa,Tarim ShaykhAl-HabibAl-Jifri Islamic Missionary and Intellectual Shaykh MuhammadAbduh Umar Head, Bureau of Direction and Guidance, Permanent Committee of the General Peoples Conference Prof. Dr. HusaynAl-Umari Member of the Consultative Committee, Member of the UNESCO Executive Committee; Professor of Modern History, University of Sanaa

549

550

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552

F RE QU EN TLY ASKE D QUESTIONS

1. How does Islam function?

Islam has no central authority or church. It has been held together over the centuries and generations, across geographic, juridical and intellectual diversity, by texts and by established, authoritative interpretations of these textsstarting with the Holy Quran itself. Misinterpretation of these texts, and misunderstanding of the methodologies of their interpretation can have very dangerous consequences and can lead to an entirely different civilization from that of traditional orthodox Islam. 2. What are the greatest challenges facing Islam today? Islam today as a religion faces many challenges and problems. Perhaps one of the greatest of these is misunderstanding and confusion about the true nature of the religion of Islam amongst Muslims and non-Muslims alike.This misunderstanding has led to erroneous interpretations of Islamic texts and thus illegitimate
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religious edicts (fatwas) by people who are intellectually and morally unqualied to make religious edicts. Correcting this situation through proper understanding of the traditional Islamic texts in all their diversity and complexity is thus of profound importance to the future of Islam and Muslims.

3. What isTheAmman Message?

The Amman Message started as a simple but detailed statement issued in Ramadan 1425 ah / November 2004 ce inAmman, Jordan by KingAbdullah II of Jordan and senior Islamic scholars. It described what Islam is and what it is not, and what actions represent it and what actions do not. Its goal was to clarify to the modern world the true nature of Islam and the nature of true Islam. It is a message of devotion to God, love of the neighbor, goodwill, moderation and peace.

4. What areTheThree Points ofTheAmman Message?

In order to give more religious authority to the Amman Message and in order to tackle the root problem of misinterpretation in Islam, in 2005 King Abdullah II sent the following three critical questions to 24 of the most senior religious scholars from all around the world representing all the branches and schools of Islam:
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frequently asked questions

1. Who is a Muslim?; 2. Is it permissible to declare someone an apostate (takr)?; and 3. Who has the right to undertake issuing fatwas (legal rulings)? Based on the fatwas provided by these great scholars (who included the Shaykh Al-Azhar; Ayatollah Sistani and Sheikh Qaradawi), in July 2005 ce, King Abdullah II of Jordan convened an international Islamic conference of 200 of the worlds leading Islamic scholars or Ulama) from 50 countries. In Amman, the scholars unanimously issued a ruling on three fundamental issues (which became known as the Three Points of the Amman Message): 1. They specically recognized the validity of all 8 Mathhabs (legal schools) of Sunni, Shia and Ibadhi Islam; of traditional Islamic Theology (Asharism); of Islamic Mysticism (Susm), and of true Sala thought, and came to a precise denition of who is a Muslim. 2. Based upon this denition they forbade takr (declarations of apostasy) between Muslims.

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3. Based upon the Mathahib they set forth the subjective and objective preconditions for the issuing of fatwas, thereby exposing ignorant and illegitimate edicts in the name of Islam. These Three Points were then unanimously adopted by the Islamic Worlds political and temporal leaderships at the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit at Mecca in December 2005. And over a period of one year from July 2005 to July 2006, the Three Points were also unanimously adopted by six other international Islamic scholarly assemblies, culminating with the International Islamic FiqhAcademy of Jeddah (the Islamic Worlds leading juridical body), in July 2006. In total, over 500 leading Muslim scholars worldwideas can be seen online (at www.ammanmessage.com)unanimously endorsed the Amman Message and its Three Points.

5. Why is it so Important?
The signed, universal Islamic Consensus on the Amman Message and its Three Points is of the greatest importance because it amounts to a historical, universal and unanimous religious and political consensus (ijma) of the Ummah (nation) of Islam in our day, and a consolidation
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frequently asked questions

of traditional, orthodox Islam. The signicance of this is: (1) that it is the rst time in over a thousand years that the Ummah has formally and specically come to such a pluralistic mutual inter-recognition; (2) that such a recognition is religiously legally binding on Muslims since the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: My Ummah will not agree upon an error (Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab al-Fitan, Hadith no.4085), and (3) that it addresses one of the most critical problems facing Muslims today: lack of agreement about what constitutes Islam, and thus lack of agreement about who is a Muslim and what is truly Islamic.

6. Is the content of theAmman Message something new in Islam?

No. There is nothing essentially new in the Amman Message, nor could there be for it to be truly authentic, for Islam is a religion revealed by God, and therefore not changeable by man.The Amman Message is merely a concrete restatement and crystallization of the common principles of traditional, orthodox, moderate Islam in all its traditional schools of thought and lawthe Islam to which over the vast, overwhelming majority of the worlds approximately 1.4 billion Muslims belong.

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the amman message 7. What does Amman have to do with the Message?
Nothing. The name Amman merely comes from the fact that the Message was rst launched in Jordan by the countrys king and scholars. The Message is a universal pan-Islamic one, as is seen in its acceptance by Muslims authorities from every school of thought and of law in Islam, and in its ratication by Muslims from every country and major Muslim community in theworld.

8. Will it resolve all of Islams problems? Will it help?

No, the Amman Message will not resolve all of Islams problems: no religion can be without problems on the worldly plane, especially in the modern age. The Economist (June 28th, 2007) argues that:This much is true: any of the Muslims who are drawn to jihadist violence, or to strident forms of political Islam, are indifferent to, or ignorant of, the nuances of theology; that makes them susceptible to amateur fatwas. But as a French scholar, Olivier Roy, points out, it doesnt follow that such peoplewhen presented with sophisticated religious argumentswould change their mind. In many cases, they have a general aversion to the idea of elaborate theology. However, what proper awareness, education and understanding of the Amman Message and its Three
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Points, might well do, God Willing, is prevent 99.99% of Muslims from being inuenced by illegitimate fatwas and sliding into takr and terrorism, as a visceral overreaction to poverty, injustice and mistakes in Western foreign policy.After all, God says in the Holy Quran: O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for God in equity, and let not hatred of any people make you swerve from justice. Deal justly, that is nearer to piety. Observe your duty to God. Lo! God is Informed of what ye do. (Al-Maidah, 5:8) Finally, proper awareness of The Amman Message, may also, by exposing the illegitimate opinions of radical fundamentalists and terrorists from the point of view of true Islam, help in preventing calls in the West for hostility against Muslims as such. As George Yeo, the Foreign Minister of Singapore, declared in the 60th Session of the U.N. General Assembly (about the Amman Message): Without this clarication, the war against terrorism would be much harder to ght. It thus may help to prevent a wider conict between the over 55% of the worlds population: approximately 2.1 billion Christians and 1.4 billion Muslims

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the amman message 9. What could it mean for Islams relations with non-Muslims?
The Amman Message Initiative is good news not only for Muslims, for whom it provides a basis for unity and a solution to inghting, but also for all non-Muslims. For, in safeguarding of the basic principles, texts and legal methodologies of Islam, the Amman Message necessarily means inherently preserving traditional Islams internal checks and balances. It thus assures balanced Islamic solutions for essential issues like human rights; womens rights; freedom of religion; legitimate jihad; good citizenship of Muslims in non-Muslim countries, and just and democratic government, all key issues that are essential to world peace and harmony.

10. What is the next step?

In order that Amman Message not remain merely a historical agreement on basic principles, various steps are being taken to introduce it through pragmatic and institutional means, such as: (1) inter-Islamic treaties; (2) national and international legislation using the Three Points of the Amman Message to dene Islam and forbid takr; (3) the use of publishing and the multimedia in all their aspects to spread the Amman Message; (4) instituting the teaching of the Amman
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frequently asked questions

Message in school curricula and university courses worldwide; and (5) making it part of the training of mosque Imams and making it included in their sermons.

11. What can you do?

Whoever you are, and wherever you live, you can help by adding your voice to this unique and historic international Islamic consensus. Please visit www. ammanmessage.com, where you can read more about the Amman Message and nd many useful documents and links. Under the button saying: Click here to endorse theAmman Message (or on the automatic pop-up) you can add your name to the list of people worldwide who have endorsed and supported the three points. Your understanding of the Amman Message is in itself important goal. Your endorsement of the Amman Message is one way to contribute towards peace in the world. hrh p ri n c e ghazi bin muham mad Chairman of theAmman Message Committee July 22nd, 2007.

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And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds

english series - book 1 isbn 978- 9957-428-30-3