An Islamic news portal is reporting that Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi was asked to leave Kuwait as a result of what have been described as “divisive remarks he has made inciting violence and bloodshed.” According to an IslamTimes report:
Youssef Qaradawi
Controversial cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi has left Kuwait after being asked to leave due to the divisive remarks he has made inciting violence and bloodshed.
Qaradawi, who has often voiced support for suicide bombings, was in Kuwait to attend the fourth annual meeting of the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO), the Islam Times reported.
Kuwaiti MP Abdullah al-Tamimi criticized IICO Chairman Abdullah Al-Maatouqand and called for the expulsion of several of the people invited to the meeting, including Qaradawi, for what he called their lack of neutrality on Islam.
“Qaradawi attacked Persian Gulf leaders and accused them of having financed the killing of Egyptians,” he noted.
Another MP, Riad Adsani, said, “Qaradawi has glorified Saddam Hussein, who occupied Kuwait and was responsible for the death of our faithful martyrs,” suggesting he should therefore not be allowed in Kuwait.
Qaradawi has faced much criticism and a political backlash in recent months, especially from Persian Gulf countries, since he openly criticized Saudi Arabia and called for the release of the ousted Muslim Brotherhood Egypt’s President Mohammad Mursi.
Qaradawi is a long time member of the board of the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) which has many members and officers tied to the Global Muslim Brotherhood as well as one member designated by the US in connection with Al Qaeda fundraising. The IICO is strongly connected with Hamas fundraising.
A Turkish news portal is also reporting that Egypt’s chief prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for Qaradawi who is accused of inciting the killing of Egyptian security forces and meddling in the country’s affairs.
Youssef Qaradawi is the most important leader of the Global Muslim Brotherhood and is the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. He is also considered to be the “spiritual guide” for Hamas and his fatwas in support of suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were utilized by Hamas to justify their operations. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to head he Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide. He is based in Qatar and has said the Qatari Emir has protected from being designated as a terrorist by the U.S. He has also reportedly amassed substantial wealth by serving as the Shari’ah adviser to many important Islamic banks and funds. Qaradawi is the head of the Union of Good (UOG), a worldwide coalition of charities helping to raise funds for Hamas and is the leader of the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), the theological body of the European Muslim Brotherhood. MEMRI has produced two video compilations of Qaradawi’s extremist statements. The first collection contains Qaradawi’s statements about Europe and the US as well as about Israel and Jews. The second collection contains various statements by Qaradawi on social issues such as discussing the killing of homosexuals and stating that beating is “suitable” for some wives. Qaradawi been banned from entering the US since 1999 and UK since 2008. Last year, authorities also refused him entry into France.
For a more extensive profile of Youssef Qaradawi, go here.
