Un-Islamic Fatwas, A Threat to Society’s Spirituality

Tunisia’s Mufti warned against the rising number of Fatwas that run against the teachings of Islam.

Sheikh Othman Batikh said such Fatwas (religious edicts) are a serious threat to the spiritual atmosphere in the society, Magharebia website reported.
He pointed to the attacks by radical Salafists on girls schools and mosques and said they originated from Fatwas issued by some people who are unfamiliar with Islamic teachings.
The Mufti urged the country’s prime minister to devote a TV program to confronting inaccurate Fatwas and said the media play an important role in shaping public opinion and that they should be used to enhance people’s faith and isolating radical groups.
He underlined that the people of Tunisia favor moderation but some of the Fatwas issued in the country today are against moderation.
Sheikh Othman Batikh also called on preachers and prayer leaders to enlighten people about the threat of radical groups.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Saeed Al-Jaziri, leader of the Rahmat Party of Tunisia said many of the mosques in the country are run by scholars who have extremist views and are not well-acquainted with Islamic teachings.
He said pure and genuine Islamic teachings should be spread in religious schools in a bid to prevent the spread of extremist groups.

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