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

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy has followed with deep concern the deadly violence in the Xinjiang region, also known as East Turkestan in the People’s Republic of China, causing many casualties among Muslims, after the Chinese authorities announced the closure of mosques on Friday 17 Rajab 1430, corresponding to 10 July 2009, thus prohibiting Muslims from performing Friday prayers.

The Academy condemns in the strongest terms these detestable events, and calls upon the Chinese government to safeguard the rights of Muslims within the framework of human rights based on respect for the lives of individuals, their freedom and the preservation of their religion and places of worship, and the prohibition of allowing anyone to show animosity towards them which is a minimum human right.

This request is made in the spirit of the long-standing good relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Muslim world, which deserve to be preserved and not undermined. Moreover, this will not be possible in front of these continued injustices and persecutions, whatever the pretext.

Furthermore, the Academy seeks prompt governmental action to guarantee the rights of Muslims in China in full freedom, as well as prompt reassurance from the Chinese authorities to the Muslim world regarding the life and safety of their Muslim brothers in the People’s Republic of China as soon as possible.

The Academy insists on its refusal to close mosques and oppress worshippers, because preserving mosques and not forbidding worshippers from entering them are the highest proofs that Muslims are free to practice their religion. The Almighty said: «And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment. » Al-Baqara -114

The Academy would like to recall again on this occasion that it is part of the basic rights of Muslims to practice their religion and perform their worships such as prayers, fasting, Hajj, Umrah and so on, as well as the celebration of their religious festivals and occasions.

Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi

SG of IIFA