The website of Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi is reporting that he has returned to Qatar from Egypt where he had spent two months recuperating from illness. During his absence, the report also says that Qaradawi visited Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage. The report describes Qaradawi’s prolonged absence from Qatar as the first in decades. The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood website also is reporting that Qaradawi met with the leadership of the Egyptian Brotherhood.
Qaradawi, a virulent anti-Semite is often referred to here as the most important leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, an acknowledgement of his role as the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to leadthe Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide. Based in Qatar, Sheikh Qaradawi has reportedly amassed substantial wealth through his role as Shari’ah adviser to many important Islamic banks and funds. He is also considered to be the “spiritual guide” for Hamas and his fatwas in support of suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were instrumental in the development of the phenomenon. A recent post has discussed a video compilation of Qaradawi’s extremist statements.
Reports about Qaradawi’s ill health began in 2007 and in June of this year he was once again reported to be ill.
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