RNA – In an exclusive interview with Rasa News Agency, Shaykh Khalid Abdul-Wahhab al-Mulla, the chairman of Iraq’s Council of Sunni Scholars, explained the reality of the situation in Iraq and the threat Takfirism and extremism pose to the region.
He stated that regardless of what the media says, Iraq has suffered great damage from the war and conflict which have enveloped the Arab country. The damages include financial and infrastructural damages and the deaths of many of its citizens, as well as the spread of Takfiri extremism.
Shaykh al-Mulla stated that Syria has been suffering from extremist ideas and Takfiri groups for nearly four years, but Iraq has been a victim of their terrorism for the past 11 years. “For the past 11 years until now, Iraq has been the victim of these extremists who have destroyed mosques, churches and holy sites. In front of the eyes of the entire world, human rights have been violated,” he emphasized.
The Sunni scholar stated that Iraqis have pleaded before all international institutions and human organizations without avail. “Terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda and its branches, have created insecurity and instability in Iraq but the international community and human rights organizations only issue resolutions and condemnations [without doing anything].”
In regards to the recent “World Congress on Extremist and Takfiri Movements in the View of Islamic Scholars,” he expressed his gratitude to the scholars who issued a fatwa (religious edict) against the Takfiri terrorists, saying: “Although, this work is very pleasing and worthy of praise, this fatwa should have been issued much sooner – before thousands of people in Iraq and Syria became victims of the Takfiris deviant beliefs.”
Shaykh al-Mulla said that today more than ever, scholars need to be present in society. He said that Iraq’s Sunni scholars, as well as its Shi’ite scholars, must strive hard against extremist thoughts. Muslim scholars in other countries must know that if they do not implement the necessary preventative measures to prevent and hinder Takfiri extremism, they will soon be the fire of intrigue themselves.
He said that since ISIL introduced itself as the founder of an Islamic caliphate and declared that it was the duty of everyone to pledge allegiance to their Islamic State, the Saudi government has been undermining its own security. According to Sunni jurisprudence, the announcement of a caliphate means that all existing governments are obsolete and are condemned to perdition. The Saudis will not hesitate to deal with ISIL in the wake of this announcement.
In conclusion, Shaykh al-Mulla urgently called on Muslim scholars to earnestly fight against ideological deviations and extremism and their ability to propagate their ideology. Scholars need to fight them using strong scientific arguments in order to weaken the foundation of their extremist opinions and ideology.
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