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Qaradawi Says Global Aid Agencies Proselytizing in Darfur
A prominent Egyptian religious scholar yesterday accused international aid agencies operating in Sudan' war-torn Darfur region of using relief distribution to convert the region's Muslim population to Christianity. Sheikh Yussef Al-Qaradawi made the charge during a sermon at Khartoum's Martyrs' Mosque, where he led the Friday prayers. He charged that the West was conspiring against Muslims the world over, including in Darfur. "We are in a big battle with our foes," said Qaradawi, adding that it was a military, political as well as religious battle, in a sermon that was carried live by state television. "They are conspiring against us religiously," he added. Qaradawi said there was a host of non-governmental organizations operating in Darfur under cover of "charity", but in reality they were actively preaching the Gospel and converting the local population to Christianity.He added that of the 53 international agencies in Darfur, only four had Islamic affiliations and called on Muslim nations to mobilize and come to the aid of the region's people. The sheikh, a regular guest on the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite channel's religious talk shows, arrived in the Sudanese capital late Thursday at the head of a delegation of Islamic scholars to try to mediate an end to the 18-month conflict in Darfur. Qaradawi urged Darfur's Muslims not to "attack each other" and not to allow their "enemies and the enemies of your nation" to use the conflict as an excuse to interfere in Sudan's internal affairs. Muslims were capable of handling their own affairs, he said. "We are not slaves to anyone, but Allah," he added. Qaradawi and members of his delegation were expected to meet religious and political leaders in Khartoum before traveling to Darfur. Posted by: Fred 2004-09-04 |
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