Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi has criticized the recent French intervention in Mali which he called “hasty”: According to a MEMRI translation of a communique issued by the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS):
In a communiqué it issued on January 17, 2013, the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), headed by Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi, criticized the military intervention in Mali, while calling on the armed groups in the country to act wisely and hold a national dialogue in order to reach a just and peaceful resolution to the crisis. The following are excerpts:[1]
Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi[2] ‘The IUMS is following with concern the developments in Mali, where the French have staged a hasty military intervention. None can foresee how [this intervention]will end and what will be its consequences in terms of killing, destruction, uprooting [of civilians], and [other]humanitarian disasters [such as]the increase of poverty, unemployment, and famine – from which Mali suffers to begin with. Hence, the IUMS has made intense efforts, by contacting influential countries and figures, to bring about reconciliation and focus on [achieving]a peaceful resolution… ‘A solution by peaceful means and through national reconciliation, understanding, and dialogue is the only valid solution to the problem in Mali, and it is still within reach, providing that [the sides show]good will and avoid foreign agendas. The IUMS is ready to complete its efforts to achieve reconciliation. ‘The IUMS calls on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and on the African States to make serious efforts towards halting the war and achieving dialogue, reconciliation and a peaceful resolution satisfactory to all sides… ‘The IUMS takes this opportunity to criticize France’s hasty move of launching war before exhausting all [possible]means to reach a peaceful solution and national reconciliation. It [also]calls on the armed groups to let the voice of reason and wisdom prevail, so as to reach a just solution by peaceful means. ‘The IUMS warns of the peril of foreign military intervention and its dangerous consequences for the region [in terms of]killing, destruction, and uprooting of innocent civilians… This, in addition to the overt economic, political, social, psychological, and environmental consequences of war, especially of internecine war, which severs ties of brotherhood and citizenship, [thus]leaving behind it hostility and hatred for generations and consequences that are not easily reversed. We beseech Allah to protect all our countries [from war]and to extinguish the fires of war in Mali and elsewhere, and to spare the believers the evil [of war]… ‘[Signed:] ‘Ali Al-Qurahaghi – [IUMS] Secretary General; Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi – head [of the IUMS].’
[1] Iumsonline.net, January 17, 2013. [2] Image: Iumsonline.net.”
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. A post from August reported that Qaradawi had been included as part of a list of Islamic scholars to be appointed to an Egyptian national board of senior Islamic scholars (Ulema). Al-Azhar is considered to be the main center of Islamic and Arabic learning in the world.