MUSLIM SCHOLARS-ISLAMIC STATE
Muslim scholars refute ideology of Islamic State group
WASHINGTON (AP) β More than 100 Muslim scholars and leaders have issued a point-by-point refutation of the Islamic State group’s ideology.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Fiqh (fihk) Council of North America, which interprets Islamic law, held a news conference at the National Press Club to publicize the letter and translate parts of it from Arabic.
Fiqh Council Chairman Muzammil Siddiqi (sih-DEE’-kee) said it states that Islam prohibits torture, attributing evil acts to God or declaring a caliphate “without consensus from all Muslims.”
Ahmed Bedier (BEHD’-ee-ay), a Muslim who is president of United Voices for America, said of the Islamic State group, “Everything they are doing is un-Islamic.”
Muslim scholars and leaders worldwide are being asked to add their names as signatories to the letter.
Sound:
250-a-09-(Muzammil Siddiqi (sih-DEE’-kee), chairman of the Fiqh (fihk) Council of North America, at news conference)-“rules of conduct”-Muzammil Siddiqi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America, translates part of the letter from Arabic. (24 Sep 2014)
< 252-a-06-(Ahmed Bedier (BEHD’-ee-ay), president of United Voices for America, at news conference)-“in our faith”-Ahmed Bedier, president of United Voices for America, denounces the Islamic State group. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (24 Sep 2014) < 249-a-09-(Muzammil Siddiqi (sih-DEE’-kee), chairman of the Fiqh (fihk) Council of North America, at news conference)-“acts to God”-Muzammil Siddiqi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America, translates part of the letter from Arabic. ((cut used in wrap)) (24 Sep 2014) < 248-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Muzammil Siddiqi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America, and Ahmed Bedier, president of United Voices for America)–More than 100 Muslim scholars and leaders have issued a point-by-point refutation of the Islamic State group’s ideology. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Sep 2014) < 251-a-06-(Muzammil Siddiqi (sih-DEE’-kee), chairman of the Fiqh (fihk) Council of North America, at news conference)-“from all Muslims”-Muzammil Siddiqi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America, translates part of the letter from Arabic. (24 Sep 2014) < JORDAN-RADICAL PREACHER Jordan acquits radical cleric of terrorism charges AMMAN, Jordan (AP) β A Jordanian court has acquitted radical Muslim preacher Abu Qatada of terrorism for his role in plotting attacks against American and Israeli tourists and Western diplomats more than a decade ago. The ruling capped a lengthy legal odyssey for the 53-year-old cleric, who has been described as a onetime lieutenant to Osama bin Laden, but in recent months emerged as a harsh critic of the Islamic State militant group. Abu Qatada was deported from Britain to Jordan last year, after years of fighting extradition. The cleric’s release comes at a time when Jordan views the Islamic State group militants, who have seized large swaths of territory in neighboring Syria and Iraq, as a growing threat. Analysts say with his credentials as a leading jihadi preacher, Abu Qatada could help legitimize the international campaign against the Islamic State and curb the group’s appeal among Jordan’s disaffected youth. Sound: 155-c-21-(Karin Laub, AP correspondent)-“religion and politics”-AP correspondent Karin Laub reports the radical preacher Abu Qatada was given a hero’s welcome as he returned to his neighborhood in the Jordanian capital. ((note length of cut)) (24 Sep 2014) < 156-c-20-(Karin Laub, AP correspondent)-“not to build”-AP correspondent Karin Laub reports analysts say Abu Qatada’s increasing criticism of the militant Islamic State group might help Jordanian authorities contain the support for the movement. (24 Sep 2014) < 153-a-16-(British Home Secretary Theresa May, in interview)-“to the U.K.”-British Home Secretary Theresa May says radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada will not be coming back to Britain following his release from prison after being cleared of terrorism charges by a Jordanian court. ((note cut length)) (24 Sep 2014) < 154-c-19-(Karin Laub, AP correspondent)-“against Abu Qatada”-AP correspondent Karin Laub reports a Jordanian court has cleared a radical cleric of terror charges. (24 Sep 2014) < 123-r-16-(Sound of Jordanian judge reading verdict, clearing a radical Muslim preacher Abu Qatada on terrorism charges, family erupting into cheers, in military court)–Sound of family and friends erupting into cheers as a Jordanian judge announces that a military court has acquitted radical Muslim preacher Abu Qatada on terrorism charges for his role in plotting attacks against Americans and Israelis. (24 Sep 2014) < ISRAEL-JEWISH NEW YEAR Israelis usher in Jewish New Year with uncertainty JERUSALEM (AP) β Israelis have ushered in the year 5775, celebrating the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah, which started yesterday at sundown, is celebrated not with fireworks and champagne but with family meals and introspection. On the Jewish calendar, it will be 5,775 years since the creation of the world, according to tradition. The devout believe one’s destiny is set for the coming year during the two-day holiday, and that in the 10 days of soul-searching that follow β leading up to the fast day of Yom Kippur β prayer, charity and repentance can ensure a good year. Some Israelis remain shaken from this summer’s 50-day war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, are distressed by turmoil along their borders and are anticipating a difficult year ahead. Sound: 203-a-08-(Yaakov Ben Yaakov, Jerusalem resident, in AP interview)-“of the world”-Jerusalem Yaakov Ben Yaakov says Israeli Jews are praying for less conflict in the new year. (24 Sep 2014) < 205-a-06-(Maya Tapiro, student at Jerusalem University, in AP interview)-“things can change”-Maya Tapiro, a student at Jerusalem University, explains that Jews believe observing Rosh Hashana can ensure a good year ahead. (24 Sep 2014) < 204-a-07-(Maya Tapiro, student at Jerusalem University, in AP interview)-“the coming year”-Maya Tapiro, a student at Jerusalem University, says many Israelis remain shaken by the war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (24 Sep 2014) < UNDER GOD-LAWSUIT American Legion gets involved in suit over pledge FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) β The American Legion has joined a lawsuit attempting to defend the use of the Pledge of Allegiance at a central New Jersey school. The veterans group says it has been accepted as an intervener in a lawsuit filed by the American Humanist Association against the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District. The humanist group says including the phrase “under God” in the pledge violates the state constitution and marginalizes atheist and humanist students. The lawsuit was filed in April. In May, the highest court in Massachusetts ruled in a similar case there that the pledge is not discriminatory. DETROIT PREACHERS-CABLE SHOW Cable show to focus on lives of Detroit preachers DETROIT (AP) β A new show planned by the Oxygen network is expected to explore the faith and lives of some Detroit area church leaders on cable television. The Detroit Free Press reports that “Preachers of Detroit” is projected to air beginning in the winter of 2015. The show is a spinoff of the network’s “Preachers of L.A.” Detroit’s lineup includes Bishop Charles Ellis III of Greater Grace Temple, pastor and community activist the Rev. David Bullock and gospel singer-evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole. The newspaper quotes Oxygen as saying the show will “focus on powerful themes of faith, family and friendship.” TEACHER PREGNANCY-NUNS Michigan nuns to reconsider school policies BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) β The nuns who operate a Michigan school where a lesbian teacher was fired after becoming pregnant say they’ll re-examine their policies. The Detroit Free Press reports that the president of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary said in a letter to Marian High School alumnae that Pope Francis has encouraged the congregation to look at the church “with new eyes.” The letter was shared Tuesday on a Facebook page created to support science teacher Barbara Webb. The 33-year-old teacher says she was fired in August from the all-girls high school in suburban Detroit after working there for nine years because of her nontraditional pregnancy. She notified her employers of her pregnancy in July. The letter doesn’t mention Webb by name. It says the congregation will work with school officials to “re-examine policies and procedures.” GAY MUSIC DIRECTOR DISMISSED Gay music director dismissed at Catholic church VICTORIA, Minn. (AP) β A popular music director at a Catholic church in Victoria, Minnesota, has been asked to resign after marrying his same-sex partner. Father Bob White leads St. Victoria Catholic Church. He has notified parishioners that Archbishop John Nienstedt asked for Jamie Moore’s resignation. White says Moore has agreed to the archbishop’s request. Nienstedt said in a statement that the teachings of the Catholic Church must be upheld. He says public conduct contrary to the teachings and law of the church is cause for immediate dismissal. KMSP-TV reports that White plans to address the dismissal in weekend services. INDONESIA-ISLAMIC LAW Indonesian province considers caning for gay sex BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) β Men and women caught having homosexual sex could be publicly caned in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh (AH’-cheh) province if an Islam-inspired draft law is approved this week. Provincial lawmakers are debating the bill with a view to pass it before Friday, the last day of the current assembly. Gay rights activist King Oey said yesterday he would urge the central government to strike down the law if it is passed. Aceh was granted the right to implement a version of Islamic Shariah law in 2006 as part of a peace deal to end a separatist war. It already canes people found guilty of adultery and gambling. VATICAN-EBOLA Pope urges international aid to fight Ebola VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis is appealing for international assistance to fight the Ebola virus in Africa. Francis also urged the 30,000 people who attended his weekly general audience yesterday to pray for the victims. It was the second time in as many days that Francis has raised the alarm about Ebola and called for international assistance to care for those affected. He issued a similar appeal Tuesday during a meeting with bishops visiting from Ghana. SATAN WORSHIPPING-LAWSUIT Lawsuit: Inmate not allowed to worship Satan SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) β A state prison inmate says New Mexico correction officials aren’t allowing him to practice his religion and properly worship Satan behind bars. KRQE-TV reports that Bernard Pritchard recently filed a lawsuit in state court alleging the chaplain and deputy warden at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility in Las Cruces treat his faith differently than others. Pritchard is asking a judge to force the New Mexico Corrections Department to let him worship Satan more freely and wants $140,000 in damages. The lawsuit doesn’t spell out specifically how Pritchard believes his rights were violated. An official with the New Mexico Corrections Department said they try to accommodate all religions but declined to comment on the lawsuit. Pritchard is serving time on aggravated stalking charges. NIGERIA-VIOLENCE Islamic extremists surrender in Nigeria, Cameroon ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) β Military authorities say hundreds of Islamic extremists have surrendered in Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon following the military’s recent victories with air and ground attacks. The Nigerian Defense Ministry also said it has killed hundreds of insurgents in the northeast including a man identified as having posed in videos as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. The Nigerian army said it was victorious around Konduga town just 22 miles from Maiduguri, birthplace of Boko Haram and the headquarters of the military offensive to contain the Islamic uprising. A Defense Ministry statement Wednesday said troops thwarted four attacks in six days on Konduga. It said 135 insurgents surrendered Tuesday night. Cameroon’s defense ministry said more than 300 Boko Haram fighters have surrendered there this month.
