WUNRN
MOROCCO - ULEMAS' FATWA ON LEAVING
MUSLIM FAITH CONTROVERSIAL - RIGHTS OF WOMEN?
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Article 18
1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions. _____________________________________________________
http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-4&chapter=4&lang=en
Signature
Accession
|
Morocco |
19
Jan 1977 |
3
May 1979 |
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MOROCCO - HIGH COUNCIL OF ULEMAS
RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS ISSUE CONTROVERSIAL FATWA FOR MUSLIMS WHO LEAVE ISLAM
By
Samira Arabi -
The
ruling, which came on page 285 in a book written by the High Council of Ulemas
under the title “Fatwas of the years 2004-2012,
was
requested by and sent to the interministerial Delegation for Human Rights of
Morocco which sought an explanation of
Islam’s view on freedom of belief in the framework of the preparation of the sixth periodic report for the implementation of the International Covenant on civil and political rights.
The High Council of Ulemas backed up their opinion with the Koranic verse “
And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever – for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire, they will abide therein eternally,” Surat Al-Baqarah[verse 217].
And the prophet’s Hadith “…The Prophet said, ‘If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.‘
According to Article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code: "Anyone who has impeded or prevented one or more persons from worship or from attending worship services of any religion may be punished by six-months to three-years imprisonment, and a fine of 200 to 500 dirhams."
.
On the other hand, the Moroccan website Lakome reported that a source from High Council of Ulemas informed them that the controversial ruling is not an official Fatwa, but it was in fact only a viewpoint of Islamic law.
The
High Council of Ulemas, which consists of religious Muslim scholars (Ulemas)
appointed by the Ministry of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs, is
considered the highest religious government institution in Morocco and is led
by King Mohammed Vl of Morocco.