Muslims in both majority and minority countries suffer from a war on Islamic identity in different ways. However, it ultimately represents a threat to the present and future of Islam in these regions. Here, we review the opinions of scholars from various countries on the role of official fatwas in affirming religious identity, spreading religious awareness, and confronting the currents of Islamophobia and sectarian conflicts among Muslims themselves.
Firstly, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, the Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories, states: "Fatwas affirming the Arab and Islamic identity of our people date back to the beginning of the Palestinian-Zionist conflict, as scholars recognized the seriousness of the situation our people are living in. There are old fatwas by Palestinian scholars, even before the establishment of the Dar Al-Ifta, prohibiting and criminalizing the sale of land to Jews or cooperating with the usurpers, confronting conspiracies against Palestine, Judaization of Jerusalem, the demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the establishment of the so-called 'Temple.'"
Hussein: We Have Fatwas Affirming the Preservation of Identity and Confronting Judaization and Uprooting Us from Our Occupied Land
He explained that the current Palestinian Dar Al-Ifta has been the highest religious and jurisprudential authority since its establishment in 1994. It issues fatwas that affirm the preservation of identity, confront conspiracies of Judaization and uprooting us from our land. Fifteen Dar Al-Ifta offices have been established, the first in Jerusalem, to issue fatwas supporting the unity of our people, prohibiting and criminalizing division and fragmentation, supporting jihad against the usurping occupiers, and confronting the Zionist army and the aggressions of the usurping settlers who spread corruption. This is inseparable from life-related fatwas.
He pointed out that there are fatwas strengthening cooperation with national and international institutions to present details and developments of the situation inside and gain Arab, Islamic, and international support. Fatwas are published, and research is prepared and translated into various languages, resorting to collective ijtihad (independent reasoning) in complex jurisprudential matters to prevent divisions. Our primary mission is to preserve the Islamic and Arab identity of Palestine, review laws and constitutions, and confront Zionist attacks on our Islamic and Christian places of worship, attempts to erase our identity and history, and to impose a Jewish character on our homeland.
The Bosnian Sheikhdom
Dr. Mustafa Ceric, the former Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, explains that the fatwas of religious institutions in his country, which follow the Islamic Sheikhdom, have played a significant role in preserving the identity of Muslims there. Their role is a living embodiment of the role of the dedicated scholars' fatwas who have preserved the identity of Muslims since the introduction of Islam to the Balkans more than 600 Hijri years ago, by the Ottomans during the era of Mehmed the Conqueror. The Bosniak ethnicity was most inclined towards Islam, and they maintained their identity by establishing mosques and Islamic schools to prevent Muslims from assimilating into the ethnicities and religions widespread in the Balkans.
Dr. Ceric: Bosnian Scholars' Fatwas Embodied the Importance of Upholding and Defending the Faith with One's Life and Wealth
Ceric explained that the fatwas of Muslim scholars embodied the importance of upholding and defending the faith with one's life and wealth, especially since they were subjected to attempts to erase their identity, most notably the violent and bloody actions of the fanatic Serbs. These actions occurred both before the establishment of the Yugoslav Union in 1918, which was hostile to Islam, and after its dissolution until Bosnia declared independence in 1992. However, the Serbs announced the continuation of the war of extermination and the erasure of Muslim identity, which was condemned by the Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal in 1993. Despite this, scholars continued to issue fatwas affirming identity.
He pointed out that the role of the Islamic Sheikhdom's fatwas continues in preserving the identity of Muslims, addressing questions about worship or transactions among themselves or with non-Muslims, considering that Bosnia remains religiously and ethnically diverse, with Serbs and Croats living alongside Muslims. The Sheikhdom has archived and preserved the fatwas of its scholars and the activities of its bodies and institutions since 1882, making them available as they are a religious and historical heritage of our identity that we are proud of and have sacrificed for. Most of these historical documents are written in Bosnian, Ottoman, Arabic, German, and other languages, compiled into about 2,500 volumes.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Dr. Abdulhamid Metwally, President of the Supreme Council of Imams and Islamic Affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizes the role of fatwas in preserving identity since the introduction of Islam to these lands through traders and migrants in four different periods.
Dr. Metwally: Fatwas from Islamic Institutions in Brazil to Resist the Dangers of Assimilation in Christian Societies
Dr. Metwally explained that fatwas from Islamic institutions, especially in the largest Muslim community in Brazil, focus on resisting the dangers of assimilation in predominantly Christian societies. Issues such as interfaith marriages between Muslim men and non-Muslim women, civil marriages between Muslim women and non-Muslim men, illicit relationships, and the difficulty of finding halal food are prevalent.
He pointed out that there are fatwas emphasizing the importance of preachers mastering the languages of the countries, primarily Spanish and Portuguese, to communicate and invite non-Muslims to Islam, and to raise awareness among new Muslims in culturally and traditionally diverse countries that lack a historically hostile legacy against Muslims.
Metwally stressed the necessity of developing outreach and fatwa-issuing performance, using modern communication means to preserve Islamic identity, especially with the rise of Islamophobia, and the presence of sectarian and political conflicts among Muslims. The council has issued fatwas in this regard, emphasizing Muslim unity and prohibiting and criminalizing sectarian conflicts and extremist ideologies.
Despite the Separation of South Sudan in 2011, Official Islamic Institutions' Fatwas Remain Strong. This is affirmed by Dr. Abdullah Rwal, Secretary General of the Islamic Council since 2018, who says: "Our council is responsible for Muslims here in the south, and its fatwas affirm Islamic identity and pride in the language of the Quran. This is an attempt to protect this minority from assimilation despite the lack of precise population distribution estimates, as it spreads among those with no religion."
Dr. Rwal: Our Council is Responsible for Muslims in South Sudan, Enhancing Islamic Identity and the Language of the Quran
Regarding the current situation and the role of official fatwas in preserving the identity of Muslims in a society that was predominantly non-religious, Rwal said: "When the civil war for independence occurred, the pagans moved from villages to cities and converted to Christianity and Islam. The number of pagans significantly decreased, and the number of Muslims increased to 25% of the population of 12 million people."
He emphasized: "We are an active minority enjoying freedom, with over 300 mosques, active Islamic schools, academies, and institutions. We have issued fatwas encouraging the pursuit of endowments, peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims, and rejecting extremism and violence in the name of Islam. We all follow the Sunni school of thought. Arabic has been adopted as an official language alongside English, and the new curricula in Arabic have been reviewed to be taught in schools."
He added: "I assure Arab Muslims that our country is unique in having no Arab tribes, yet we all speak Arabic. We have 64 African tribes, 100% of whom speak Arabic, including most Christians. Neighboring African countries also learn Arabic from us, and our government has applied for observer membership in the Arab League."
Muslims of Rwanda
Sheikh Saleh Hitimana, the Mufti of Rwanda, confirms that the fatwas of official institutions have contributed to protecting the Muslims of his country from assimilation, especially during the civil war, and rejected the genocide against the Tutsi minority. This has made Muslims "a dove of peace" since the introduction of Islam in 1890 by Arab traders from Yemen and Oman. He noted that mosques were built, and scholars from them issued fatwas focused on strengthening the identity of Muslims who embraced Islam in Rwanda before Christianity.
Hitimana: Official Institutions' Fatwas Protected Rwandan Muslims from Assimilation during the Civil War
He explained that mosques and Quranic schools were established, producing scholars who teach Muslim children their religion to preserve their identity. Likewise, the fatwas of the Dar Al-Ifta and the Islamic Institute for Sharia and Arabic Sciences, established in 1974, have played a significant role. This institute has graduated more than 6,000 preachers who reinforce the faith, identity, and language of the Quran among Muslims, who now make up more than 15% of the population.
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