Fighting in Syria Not Jihad

The Supreme Fatwa Council in Iraq’s Kurdistan region said fighting in Syria is not considered Jihad.

The committee added that the meaning of Jihad has been distorted by some in the Syria clashes, Sawt Al-Iraq website reported.

It also said that fighting in Syria is Haram (religiously forbidden).

Ahmed Shafei, a member of the council, in a press conference said the young people who go to Syria to participate in Jihad will not be rewarded by God because what they do is not in the interest of the religion and Muslims.

Extremist groups recruit young Muslims in different countries to go to Syria and fight the government of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Syria has been the scene of unrest since early 2011 and has witnessed the death of many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel in the violence.

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