DOHA, 10 January 2003 — Muslim legal scholars are to open a six-day meeting here today on interpreting Islamic law that conference sources said would also focus on international terrorism and possibly the looming conflict in Iraq.
The gathering, expected to draw representatives from more than 50 countries, will in addition debate an Islamic response to the September 2001 attacks in the United States.
“One cannot speak of international violence without speaking of Sept. 11,” said one conference source who asked not to be named. “That is not possible.”
The discussions have been organized by the Jeddah-based Islamic Jurisprudence Academy, which itself is a specialized agency of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The OIC groups 57 predominantly Muslim nations from around the world.
The talks will take place as the United States pushes ahead with a massive concentration of military power in the Gulf region, which it has threatened to unleash on Iraq if Baghdad fails to comply with United Nations disarmament requirements.
In the face of deep disquiet in the Arab and Muslim world about such an attack, US President George W. Bush and other US leaders have insisted that their campaign — as well as Washington’s anti-terror drive — is not aimed at Islam.
Also on the agenda at the conference here will be an Islamic response to globalization and international banking practices.
The meeting will conclude with the adoption of several non-binding resolutions that will be presented to leaders of Islamic countries. (AFP)
