In the Name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Current Events in the Arab World and in some Muslim countries

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions,

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holding its 21st session in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 15–19 Muḥarram 1435h (18–22 November 2013),

In its capacity as a reference institution of the Ummah in the area of Fiqh, Considering the duties ensuing from such responsibility, at a time when the Ummah is facing a host of challenges and dangers that are quite apparent

in terms of the current events in the Arab world and some Muslim countries, Observing closely the terrifying violence, turmoil, and riot prevailing in several countries in the Arab and Muslim worlds, and the chaos which is about to destroy the abilities of the Ummah, endanger its entity, challenge its unity, paralyze its economic power, and drag its people towards bitter sufferings of injustice, hunger, terror, disagreement, absence of peace and order and finally

the complete destruction of social life,

Based on the obligation of the Academy towards the entire Ummah,

Recalling the resolutions of the Academy in its previous sessions, especially its 20th Session held in Oran, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, on 26 Shawwāl – 2 Dhū al-Qi’dah 1433h (13–18 September 2012), in which the Academy issued a statement on Syria,

Addresses its following call to people, leaders, scholars and statesmen of the Ummah, especially in countries where awful killing and disorder is going on:

First: Strongly confirming sanctity of human blood and Muslims’ obliga- tion to preserve each other’s lives and avert evils of causing harm to others. In this regard, Allāh the Almighty says: «…if anyone slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole humanity,» (Al-Māʾidah, 32) and the Prophet SAW said: “…in no way it is permissible for a Muslim to hurt another Muslim whether in body, property or honor.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Second: Emphasizing unity and territorial integrity of Ummah, which no Muslim should work for – or help those who work for – its destruction. It should also be emphasized that national unity is the prime means of ensuring the sustainability of social cohesion, national power and sovereignty; and facil- itate avoidance of internal struggles.

Third: Necessity of raising awareness among all segments within Arab and Muslim societies to leave no chance for the enemies of the Ummah and spoil the wicked plans of those who are waiting to launch their aggressive attacks after diverting the attention of the Ummah away from its significant issues to endless internal struggles.

Fourth: Emphasizing the necessity of abiding by the Islamic approach of dialogue indicated in the Academy resolution no. 98 (1/11), 152 (1/17), as a means of resolving political disputes and arranging the relationship between governing authority, citizens and political parties. No resort should be to violence, killing, intolerance, sectarianism or excessive loyalty to narrow partisanships among the people of the same nation and country.

Fifth: Affirming the fact that acknowledgement of the right of all segments of the society to justice, consultation, cooperation and decent life is a funda- mental prerequisite of achieving the supreme objectives of the Ummah.

Sixth: Necessity of extending all possible support to oppressed people who suffer different types of unfairness, killing, violence, and loss of security, because, as clearly stated by Allāh the Almighty, «The believers are but a single brother- hood.» (Al-Ḥujurāt, 10)

Seventh: Emphasizing the right of people in freedom and working to pre- vent detestable acts and call for good deeds through peaceful means and subject to the rules of Shariah.

The Academy urges all the Ummah, represented by its leaders, individuals, political powers, scholars and thinkers, to join hands for facing the dangers surrounding it, so that every Muslim country can recover its role in serving the Ummah.

As an international organization that has emanated from the OIC, the Academy calls states’ leaders to exert every possible effort in order to patch up the crack, put an end to injustice and spread peace in countries that have en- tirely lost peace and comfort

We pray to Allāh the Almighty to protect our nation against all types of evil and grant us His righteous guidance. Indeed, He is the Guardian of Success.