CNN : Fatwa Against Terror

March 3, 2010 11:07 p.m. EST

AZUZ: A Muslim scholar in London is issuing a fatwa against terrorism. Some Islamic leaders have used the teachings of the Koran, Islam's holy book, to justify terrorism and suicide bombings. But this cleric we're telling you about today says that idea is totally false. Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri explained this fatwa earlier this week. He's studied the religious writings and says that violence is never justified by the Koran. He also criticized the idea that anyone who carries out a terrorist act would be promised an afterlife of paradise. Some officials have come out in support of ul-Qadri's fatwa. They say it might not stop suicide bombers, but it could encourage younger Muslims to reconsider joining extremist groups. Some of those groups use the Koran to try to recruit young members to commit violence. But ul-Qadri says the holy book is very clear on that point.

MUHAMMAD TAHIR UL-QADRI, MUSLIM SCHOLAR: Terrorism is terrorism. Violence is violence. It has no place in Islamic teachings, and no justification can be provided to it on the basis of any kinds of excuses.

Source : http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/studentnews/03/03/transcript.thu/#one