The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), headed by Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi, has released a statement on the recent burning of Korans in Afghanistan by U.S. soldiers calling for “an immediate investigation so as to punish the perpetrators of this criminal act.” According to the IUMS statement:
IUMS calls for an immediate investigation so as to punish the perpetrators of this criminal act. Praise be to Almighty Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and all those who follow his guidance. The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) is closely observing with great concern the recent developments and violence taking place in Afghanistan, which resulted from the burning of some copies of the noble Qur’an by some American soldiers who do not care for the sanctity of Muslims in their lands. It is unfortunate that this is not the first time for Americans soldiers to commit this sacrilege; they previously burnt copies of the noble Qur’an in Afghanistan and America. Considering this latest development and the irresponsible and immoral attitudes demonstrated by some American soldiers in Afghanistan, IUMS is hereby announcing the following: First, IUMS expresses its deep displeasure and strong condemnation for the action of the American soldiers who burnt the Qur’an at their base in Afghanistan, which is a great insult and disregard for Muslims in Afghanistan and all over the world. Second, IUMS regards this action as an incitement to violence, hatred, and discrimination, and it leads also to more blood-shedding of innocent Afghanis. Third, though IUMS welcomes the apology of the U.S government, it calls for an immediate investigation so as to punish the perpetrators of this criminal act. Fourth, IUMS calls Muslims all over the world to always observe and practice Islamic ethics in dealing with such practices. As the Qur’an says, {no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another}, there should be no generalization or punishment for innocent people. Allah is our Helper and on Him we rely.”
The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) was launched on July 11, 2004 in conjunction with a visit by Youssef Qaradawi to London for a meeting of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. It should be noted that Salahudin Sultan, identified above as an IUMS member, is almost certainly Dr. Salah Sultan (aka Solah Sultan, Sallah Sultan), a notorious anti-Semite and close associate of Qaradawi’s.
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 lead the 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.