Fatwa to be issued AGAINST suicide bombers...

[max_tranmere]

There is a big article about this in the London Evening Standard today.

A Muslim scholar will announce next Tuesday a Fatwa (death sentence) against suicide bombing in the name of Islam. This is quite a turnaround, I am not suggesting that the average Muslim was ever in favour of suicide bombings in that name of their religion (or for anything else) but now we have someone coming out so vehmently anti the whole thing that those planning it will be sought out and done away with if they are thinking of doing it.

This is an encouraging thing I think, so long as they don't get the wrong people. Someone would have to have clearly stated it was their intention, then this man and his followers will presumably seek them out. What do people think about this? It may split the community, or on the other hand it could bring the community into line. I will look out for what he says next Tuesday and watch with interest.

[Sam Slater]

'Bring the community into line'................ Yep. Says a lot about your thinking, Max.

Personally, threatening to kill people who are threatening to kill people takes us nowhere and we should condemn both groups.

[max_tranmere]

You dont think there are some elements of the Muslim community who need to be brought into line? The four people who carried out the 7/7 bombings in London needed 'bringing into line', surely? I am not saying kill them, but maybe the threat being issued by other people in their community will not only make them think again but may convince them there is extreme disgust in the community towards this kind of thing, therefore it might make them reconsider.

[one eyed jack]

"An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind"

Dr Martin Luther King

Says it all really. (Though Gandhi said it first so credit where credit is due)

[Dick Moby]

To kill a fanatic who is intent on mass murder must be a better option than giving them the opportunity to kill innocent people. Going with the odds again,to me it's preferable to kill a few to save a lot.

[max_tranmere]

I am quite interested in Ghandi. It was always said he sent the British packing, and got independence for his huge nation, without one bullet being fired or any militant activity at all. There is a film, starring Ben Kingsley, all about it which I must watch.

[max_tranmere]

As many won't announce in advance that they are intending to do it it will be hard, in many cases, to seek these people out. Just the threat of the Fatwa against those who are intent, and the clear statement being made by some in the community that this is wrong, will discourage many who are considering it I think.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]You dont think there are some elements of the Muslim community who need to be brought into line?[/quote]

Don't you think all communities have individuals that need to be brought into line? My answer, of course, is 'yes' (I don't duck questions, Mike). You mentioned the Muslim community being brought into line, Max, not certain elements of said community.

Sadly, threatening death to people willing to kill themselves, and others, will hardly be a deterrent (putting the ethical debate aside for now). We'll just have two sets of Muslims arguing who are the 'real Muslims' are and we'll still have people threatening to kill one another. I don't think this is good.

[Dick Moby]

I don't think any of these suicide bombers go it alone. The more people who are involved,the more chances of someone boasting or letting something slip.Maybe because of fear or devotion to their faith people are not willing to tip off the authorities. I hope people who had knowledge of a possible atrocity can live with themselves after it comes to fruition.

[Sam Slater]

So you want Muslims to kill other Muslims they suspect of becoming suicide bombers, outside our laws and without a fair trial? Not very British of you, Dick.