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] One of the Council's rulings was that it is permissible for a Muslim to attend a Thanksgiving celebration.[2]
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The Council's origins lie with the Religious Affairs Committee of the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada in the early 1960s. The Committee evolved into the Fiqh Committee of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) after ISNA was founded in 1980, and then into the Fiqh Council of North America in 1986. The Council is still affiliated with ISNA.[3]
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. [4] 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).
In July 2005, the Council issued a fatwa stating Islam's condemnation of certain terrorism and religious extremism. The fatwa said: 1) all acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden), 2) Muslims are forbidden to cooperate with any individual involved in terrorism or violence, and 3) Muslims must cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of civilians.
The fatwa did not specifically address terrorism against military targets during a war such as in Iraq, and there is no mechanism for civil enforcement of the fatwa.[5] Furthermore, it did not define "terrorism" or "civilians".[6]
Professor Abou El Fadl, a University of California law professor, said in 2001 that the Council lacked authority among Muslims in the US.[7]
Executive Committee:
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman
Shaikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah, Vice Chairman
Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Executive Director
Dr. Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh
Dr. Jamal
Badawi
Dr. Ihsan Bagby
Shaikh Abdur
Rahman Khan
Members:
Dr. Deina Abdelkader
Dr. Muhammad Akbar
Mrs. Zainab Alwani
Dr. Muneer
Fareed
Shaikh Mohammed al-Hanooti
Imam Yahya Hendi
Dr. Yusuf Z. Kavakci
Dr. Muhammad Qatanani
Imam Hassan Qazwini
Dr. Ahmad Shleibak
(updated as of Jan 2009[1]
   | U.S. Muslim Scholars Issue Edict Against Terrorism - U.S. Muslim Scholars Issue Edict Against Terrorism : NPR |
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