Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Dialogue Committee and Vice-Chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (“IUMS”), called for the release of the detained French journalist in Iraq, Florence Aubenas, and her translator, Hussain Hanun.

In a statement issued by the Committee, a copy of which was obtained by Islam Today, Sheikh Bin Bayyah said: “The Dialogue Committee, which is joined to the IUMS, calls for the abidance of teachings from our true religion that forbid attacking peaceful people and enjoin kindness and justice to them.”

The eminent Sheikh then emphasized that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade murdering women. The statement thus asked the noble resisters in Iraq to release Florence Aubenas as soon as possible: “As this is for the interest of humanity, Islam, and Muslims, especially for those living in France and Europe who might otherwise be severely harmed.”

Florence Aubenas, a journalist working for the French newspaper, Libération, disappeared in Baghdad at the beginning of last January. This took place only two weeks after the release of two French journalists, Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, who were detained for four months.

Ahmad al-Amudi – Jeddah

His Eminence Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah; Professor at the University of King Abdul Aziz and member of the European Council for Fatwa, rejected an analyst’s assertion that the International Union of Muslim Scholars (“IUMS”) is an extension of the ‘Big Middle East’ project. Bin Bayyah mentioned in his speech to Al Risalah newspaper: “This is comic! We have no relation to the Big Middle East project.” He added: “Most of those who joined the Union did not know about such project or show any concern for it. Undoubtedly, some of them may actually be against the whole idea of such a project.”

Sheikh Bin Bayyah proceeded: “I think that this claim entails a hidden motive, bearing in mind that the Union welcomes all Muslims all over the world. Scholars who join it belong to all globalMadhahib (“schools of jurisprudence”) and attitudes from Indonesia to America. Participation in the Union is open to whoever believes in the unity of the Muslim world and its common interests and is ambitious for the pioneering status of the Muslim nation. All Muslim scholars known for serving Islam can join the Union.”

On the other hand, regarding annoyances caused to the Union, Bin Bayyah said: “No annoyances have emerged so far except for the founding meeting that was held in London. At that time we faced some difficulties caused by International Zionism and some right-wingers who created disturbance and confusion against the head of the Union Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. All Praise be to Allah Alone! Such plans failed and we were safe.”

It is worth mentioning that an analyst once wrote that it is debatable whether or not the IUMS actually aims to establish a universal Islamic reference, uninfluenced by governments. The concerned analyst stated: “This conference, its time, place, attendees, idea and suggested agenda provokes – without false accusation – many doubts.” He referred to some questions that the conference discussed after announcing the opening of the Union that focused on women in the Muslim world, violence, and the relationship between Muslims and others.

It is, however, noteworthy that the IUMS has a large number of members, including Muslim scholars, Muftis (“Islamic scholars qualified to issue legal opinions”) and intellectuals. The Union aims at forming a united reference for the Muslim Ummah (“nation”) that studies new issues without being influenced or stressed by any external authority.

Source: Appendix of Al Risalah newspaper

Commenting on the Mecca Agreement in Al-Madina newspaper, His Eminence Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Mauritanian Former Minister of Justice and teaching member at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah said:

“We praise Allah, Exalted be He, that He gifted us under these difficult circumstances experienced by a nation with sincere leaders, such as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to turn despair and fear into hope. He has provided us with a tangible action and clear triumph in a period in which nations are allied against the Islamic nation. A nation under global attack, surrounded by sectarianism and partisanship. An attack has been launched against the Islamic nation, causing it to fall captive under the world pressure.

“This commendable initiative by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques came as a real victory of its time, and we hope that this Agreement will be crowned with success. We pray that its parties do not deviate from the right path, but commit to the covenant with respect to what they agreed upon before the Ka’bah, the purest spot on earth. We also hope that the Muslim nation will walk on this road and follow this action. Such action has contributed to putting a stop to the shedding of Muslim blood and uniting us to prevent our enemies from harming our nation.”

Bin Bayyah added, “I hope that this Agreement will be a positive precedent for many agreements to come. In order to resolve the problems of the Islamic world, we need this spirit and dedication to prevail in the dialogue between Fatah and Hamas. All this will be counted in the rewards of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who initiated this good act which will save the nation from weakness and disunity.”

Waleed Al-Harithy – Jeddah

Prominent Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Global Centre for Renewal and Guidance and former Mauritanian Minister of Justice, regarded President Obama’s speech as being historic for three reasons. The first of such reasons is that the speech in hand is unprecedented as far as the history of the Islamic/American relations is concerned.

Bin Bayyah added in an interview with Islam Today: “The second reason for the importance of Obama’s speech is that it was based on good awareness of history, especially regarding the incidents of Islamic history that Obama mentioned. The speech was thus wealthy.”

Sheikh Bin Bayyah proceeded: “The third reason is the new tendency that Obama has shown for the Muslim world and his seemingly truthful desire to make a change. A change that may be at least psychological if not fully political.” Prominent scholar Bin Bayyah added: “I regard Obama’s speech as being directed firstly to America before the Muslim world. It is an educational address telling the Americans that the Islam that they talk about is not strange to them and that they have to live harmoniously with Islam and Muslims. Accordingly, I think that such a speech will succeed in reflecting an unusual image of Islam and Muslims.”

Concerning his opinion on the way in which Arab politicians and peoples received the speech in question, Sheikh Bin Bayyah said: “I think that people divided into two parties. The first evaluated the historical importance of Obama’s speech and welcomed its positive aspects. Conversely, the second party saw nothing new in the concerned speech. They regarded it only as beautification, while covering underneath a policy that we still see destroying some parts of the Muslim world.”

Moreover, Sheikh Bin Bayyah expressed his personal opinion on Obama’s speech saying that: “Despite all the negative aspects that we witness and hope that the American administration finds solutions for, this speech can be considered a start for a new way. If developed into a soon implemented practical program, this would be capable of overcoming many obstacles.” He then added: “Rulers, intellectuals and scholars in the Muslim world used to introduce initiatives similar in spirit to those announced by Obama, though not in full conformity to all the ideas and practical policies raised by him.”

Influential people in the Muslim world have spoken continuously and well before Obama about issues of coexistence, positivity and tolerance between all religions. They would encourage the other side to take the same position, but unfortunately the latter lacked awareness, equity and insight. This status quo has been evident regarding the Palestinian issue and the instruments used for settling peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. We may disagree with President Obama’s view on handling such matters, however we think that the President has exerted an immense effort that we must evaluate. In fact, we have to look at the full half of the cup; we have to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, chairman of the Global Center for Renewal & Guidance (GCRG), described universities in the Arab World as unproductive and in need of immediate interventions to develop them academically and financially through Waqf revenues, stressing that it is only when Arabs had effective educational systems that they pioneered all fields of human thought and knowledge.

In an interview with Mauritania TV, attended by a selection of guests, the preeminent Sheikh stated, “The Arab/Islamic World suffers from a severe intellectual crisis as well as cultural, political, and economic weakness”.

Bin Bayyah warned that Western feminism is motivated by sheer malice towards Muslims, rather than a real desire to empower women in the Muslim World.

In the same vein, he exhorted Muslim women to play a leading role in public life, within the limits and guidelines of Islamic Shari`ah and morality.

Asked whether dialogue with the West is viable, Bin Bayyah clarified that it is imperative and inevitable. “Though having so far had unsatisfactory results, it is the only option open to us,” he commented, concluding that, fortunately, there are still “few” Western intellectuals and philosophers who are willing to listen and to interact.