Previous posts have reported on conflicting claims about the health of global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi. In late August, several media reports including one from Islam Online, a news portal owned by Qaradawi, reported that he was to be be discharged from an Algerian military hospital after a three day stay suffering from a minor stomach ulcer Only two days later, Islam Online denied that he had been admitted to an Algerian hospital. Yesterday, however, the International Islamic News Agency as well as Qatari media reported that Qaradawi apologized for not leading Ramadan prayers as he has done for many years and repeated that he had been treated for a stomach ulcer during his trip to Algeria:
Renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Yousuf Al Qaradhawi has apologized to his many followers here for being unable to lead prayers during Ramadan. Al Qaradhawi has always led Ramadan prayers and followed up with speeches addressing major issues. Because of his health, doctors have advised him not to go to the mosque, at least until the last 10 days of Ramadan, according to an Arabic daily report.Al Qaradhawi retuned to Doha on September 8 from Algeria, where he had undergone treatment for a stomach ulcer. He urged all Muslims to pray for his health and well-being. Doctors have also advised the scholar not to fast for the first 10 days of the holy month in the interests of his health.
As earlier posts have noted, these reports raise the question of Qaradawi’s “successor” as he is 81 years old and appears to be preparing for his posterity. The conflicting reports about his treatment could be an indication of a more serious medical condition than is being disclosed.