French Muslim group issues fatwa against rioting

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L06579517.htm

PARIS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - One of France's largest Islamic groups issued a fatwa against rioting on Sunday after officials suggested Muslim militants could be partly to blame for violent protests scarring poor neighbourhoods around the country.

The Union of French Islamic Organisations (UOIF) quoted the Koran and the Prophet Mohammad to back up the religious edict condemning the disorder and destruction the unrest caused.

Muslim residents in the rundown suburbs say rioters' anger is more about unemployment and discrimination than religion. France's 5 million Muslims make up 8 percent of the population and many consider themselves second-class citizens here.

"It is formally forbidden to any Muslim seeking divine grace and satisfaction to participate in any action that blindly hits private or public property or could constitute an attack on someone's life," the fatwa said.

"Contributing to such exactions is an illicit act," declared the edict, which said it was applicable to "any Muslim living in France, whether a citizen or a guest of France."

[Mass]

1. This does not surprise me - This is their parents's cars that these kids

burn, not the ones in the rich areas of Paris.

This said this is a big problem and Chirac's government does not help calming the situation.

[Lost-in-FL]

2. My concern is that...

Republicans will use this Rioting situation to justify the war in Iraq. Remember, we fight them over there so they do not cause riots over here...

[JVS]

3. Good fatwa!