RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday received prominent Islamic scholars, who came to attend an international conference on "Fatwa and its General Rules," and said their recommendations would be considered by the next Islamic summit.
"We have been following up your conference in Makkah. The results of your discussions, focusing on the importance of fatwa (Islamic ruling) and the important role of muftis in the Ummah, will be taken up by the next Islamic summit," the king told the scholars during the reception.
King Abdullah emphasized the need to train muftis, who give Islamic rulings on contemporary issues. "Those who issue fatwas should be well-qualified to do the job and should fulfill the necessary conditions," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
"The door of fatwa should not be kept open to people who are not trustworthy scholars and who are not well-versed in Shariah and knowledgeable about the situation of the Ummah," the king said and urged the scholars to enlighten the Ummah and fight deviant thoughts and ideas.
Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, which organized the conference, said his organization was preparing for this important meeting during the last three years. He praised the king for his historical call at the Kuwait summit, urging Arab leaders to end their conflicts and open a new chapter of unity and solidarity.
"The whole Muslim world is now looking forward to your majesty's initiative to strengthen the unity of the Arab and Islamic Ummah," he said.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the Kingdom's grand mufti, also commended King Abdullah for his generous support to the Palestinians. Al-Turki presented a copy of the conference's recommendations to the king. Shoura Council President Saleh Bin Humaid attended the event.
