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Olde Tyme Religion
On strange, ignorant fatwas
2017-09-24
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Now and then, holy mans and preachers issue controversial fatwas (religious edicts) sparking media criticism, sometimes across the entire world. Some examples are the fatwa to kill Mickey Mouse or to breastfeed adults. A holy man once even said that driving might negatively affect women’s ovaries. Most recently, Egyptian preacher Sabri Abdel Raouf issued a fatwa saying men can have sex with their dead wives!

This recent fatwa made headlines across the world, just like any other shocking or illogical fatwa. These matters are no longer local affairs that concern a certain country as these news are now covered by CNN or Russian, British and even Japanese dailies.

The Journalists Syndicate Council in Egypt decided to suspend Ahmad Abdoun, the host of the program, "What are they wondering about?", which airs on the satellite channel LTC, because he hosted Sabri.

The syndicate said in a statement that it suspended Abdoun after the legal committee detected "the moral and professional error live during the show" as he aired an immoral fatwa that says men can have sex with their dead wives, which is called by some as "farewell intercourse."

Stirring up controversy
Meanwhile,
...back at the dirigible, Jack stuck the cigar in his mouth, stepped onto the gantry, and asked Got a light, Mac?

Von Schtinken stopped short, lowering the dagger and trying to control his features.

If you light that thing, Herr Armschtröng, he pointed out, his voice tense, we all die!...

in Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
, Doctor Saad al-Hajri, a preacher who also issues fatwas, stirred up controversy after he said women cannot drive because they lack in reason and their reason will further deteriorate the more they drive.

There are so many strange fatwas and opinions which the media cannot be blamed for covering because it’s always looking for strange stories to report on. Does it get weirder than this?

Fatwas are in the end a "live" interaction between a religious guide with facts and contexts of a different "era" which in all cases require an "appropriate" perspective.

Scholars during the first centuries were braver than their present day counterparts. One can take a look at what scholars in Andalusia, Morocco, Egypt, the Levant and Hejaz did to see the difference.

What’s worth noting is that fatwas and statements no longer target a local audience as they now reach everyone everywhere.

Suspending Sabri or Hajri is a subsequent procedure but the main story is that criticism now comes from all over the world as these stories become noticed.

Posted by:Fred

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