No contradiction in being loyal to country or religion: scholar

Introduce modern version of ‘fiqh’: Al-Maatouq

CAIRO, Sept 16, (KUNA): Faithfulness to the homeland and serving national interests do not contradict with the Islamic Sharia’a and devotion to the heavenly religion of Islam, affirms a ranking Kuwaiti official and religious scholar.

The affirmation came in a paper presented by Dr Muhammad Al-Tabtabaei, Chairman of the Kuwaiti Fatwa Committee for Personal Status, to the 30th session of the supreme conference for Islamic affairs.

Good citizenship is in harmony with the Islamic Shariaa (law), Dr Al-Tabtabaei says in the paper

He warned in this respect of misconceptions about nationalism, cautioned against fanaticism and degradation of peoples of different views, doctrines and civilizations.

Both the homeland the religion are revered and there is no contradiction by being faithful to the two, he opines, also drawing the attention to the fact that the Islamic Shariaa “guides patriotism.”

The assertion by the ranking Kuwaiti scholar came amid spread of extremism in some parts of Arab and Islamic countries. Many militants, especially those belonging to notorious and shadowy groups, advocate anti-establishment and anti-State norms and thoughts.

Kuwait, people and State, advocates a moderate, contemporary line of Islam.

Meanwhile, President of Kuwaitbased International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) Dr Abdullah AlMaatouq called Sunday for introducing a modern vision for fiqh rulings that would adapt to the modern state.

Fiqh, or Islamic jurisprudence, vis-avis the modern national state that deal with citizenship, democracy, freedom, woman, co-existence and selection of the ruler has been static, Al-Maatouq, also Amiri Diwan Advisor and UN Secretary General’s special advisor, said in remarks at a 30th conference of Surpeme Council of Islamic Affairs.

In order for the Islamic Fiqh to improve, he said, was through its ability to combine core values and modern reality.

The conferees were discussing fiqh rulings related to the modern vision of the building of a state.

Deputy Grand Mufti of Al-Quds and Palestine Ibrahim Awadhallah said Islam defined the state as a “civilian state implementing Islamic Sharia rules, and the consensus on the selection of the leader.”