UNB, Dhaka :Over 1 lakh Islamic scholars on Saturday issued a fatwa (edict) declaring militancy and extremism in the name of Islam ‘forbidden’.The ‘fatwa’ signed by some 101,524 Islamic scholars belonging to Bangladesh Jamiatul Ulama is comprised of 26 volumes for divisional cities and four more signed by women scholars.Chairman of ‘Bangladesh Jamiatul Ulama’ and Imam of Sholakia Eid congregation Maulana Farid Uddin Masud revealed the fatwa at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.”Islam is a religion of peace. In the name of Islam, some quarters are spreading extremism and terror through misinterpretation of Quran and Hadith to gain their personal interests,” he said.Though many label the militants as ‘jihadis’, they are actually ‘terrorists’, he said, adding: “Islam doesn’t support terrorism. And those, who are carrying out suicide attacks with the belief to go to heaven as martyrs if they die and live as heroes if remain alive, will not go to heaven according to Quran and Hadith,” he added.”The participation in namaz-e-janaza for those religious terrorists, militants and secret attackers is also forbidden. And those who will die taking stand against these militants will be regarded as martyrs,” Masud continued.
