Leading Muslim Cleric Issued Fatwa, Condemning Turks for Killing Armenians

15:03 | In the world Zidane to be Real Madrid sporting director

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is poised to confirm the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the club’s new sporting director when he gains re-election this summer.
Source: AS
14:37 | Armenia Armenian military expert on Lavrov-Mammadyarov meeting

“The latest meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan was a standard meeting and Sergey Lavrov’s statement should be viewed in the context of Madrid Principles,” David Jamalyan told reporters.
Source: Panorama.am
13:25 | Armenia Armenian chess players at World Championships

Olympic champions GMs Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian and IM Ashot Nadanian will take part in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships that will take place on June 6-10 in Khanty-Mansiysk.
Source: armchess.am
12:02 | Region OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs discuss holding summit later this year

They traveled to the region May 23-24 to continue their efforts to help the sides find a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Source: osce.org
11:44 | Region Bako Sahakyan: Without Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, it would be impossible to stand firmly on way of stable development

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan met with a group of members of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Board of Trustees.
Source: presidential press service
11:26 | Armenia Lawyers to go on token strike

“The aim of the action is to show the authorities and the public that there are serious problems in the judicial system,” lawyer Hayk Alumyan said.
Source: Zhoghovurd
10:13 | In the world Inter fire Stramaccioni, hire Mazzarri

The announcement was made on the official Nerazzurri website, confirming a two-year contract.
Source: Football Italia
10:04 | Armenia Former employee of correctional facility returns medal

The reason behind this move is that in 2012, Sargis was forced to leave his job by head of the Correction Facility Hamlet Khlghatyan.
Source: Zhoghovurd
09:19 | In the world Gas cylinder blast on Pakistan school bus kills 17

Police officer Mohammed Rasheed says seven children were also injured Saturday when the faulty gas cylinder exploded on the outskirts of the city of Gujrat.
Source: AP
09:13 | In the world Syria opposition unity talks face specter of collapse

After two days of meetings in Istanbul, senior coalition players were in discussions late into the night after veteran liberal opposition figure Michel Kilo rejected a deal by Syrian businessman Mustafa al-Sabbagh to admit some members of Kilo's bloc to the coalition.
Source: Reuters
09:08 | In the world Guatemalan ex-president extradited to U.S. on money-laundering charges

"See you soon Guatemala, this is a kidnapping," local media quoted Portillo as saying at the airport.
Source: Reuters
09:02 | In the world Truck caused bridge collapse, police say

An initial investigation shows the 1,111 foot-long bridge collapsed when a tractor-trailer hauling an oversized load hit one of the bridge's overhead tresses, known as the "superstructure.”
Source: CNN
08:54 | In the world MI5 'approached London attack suspect'

MI5 asked Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo if he wanted to work for them about six months before the killing.
Source: BBC
08:49 | In the world Dancer 'lied' in Berlusconi sex case

Karima El-Mahroug said she had "made up" details about erotic parties held at his villa while he was still PM.
Source: BBC
08:42 | Armenia Air temperature to go down in northern regions

In Yerevan, transitory rain is possible after midday.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:00 | In the world Sweden reinforcing police in riot-hit Stockholm

Reinforcements of specially trained police are being sent to Stockholm after five nights of unprecedented rioting in the capital's suburbs.
Source: BBC
21:40 | In the world Obama nods to drones in Naval academy Speech

President Obama gave a nod to his newly articulated drone policy as he addressed the graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday.
Source: ABC news
21:25 | In the world Russia pledges 1.7 bln euros for Serbian south stream

“The Russian side undertakes to finance that section,” Putin said after a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Source: Ria.ru
21:10 | In the world Syria opposition seeks to unify as momentum for talks builds

Syria's fractious opposition scrambled to agree a new leadership on Friday in a bid to present a coherent front at peace talks which the US and Russia are convening to seek an end to more than two years of civil war.
Source: Reuters
21:00 | In the world Wash. patrol chief: Oversize load on truck hit I-5 bridge north of Seattle, caused collapse

The truck made it off the bridge and the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Source: The Washington Post
20:48 | In the world UN rapporteur Emmerson hails 'historic' Obama drone vow

The lawyer leading a UN drone inquiry has praised a speech by US President Barack Obama as a "significant step towards increased transparency".
Source: BBC
20:38 | In the world Suspected kashmiri rebels kill indian soldiers

Four Indian army soldiers and a suspected rebel were killed in fighting in the Indian portion of Kashmir on Friday, officials said.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:30 | In the world 'We loved you so much, you didn't deserve this'

Devastated family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby pay emotional tribute to him.
Pictures: The Daily Mail
20:21 | In the world Putin, Obama to Meet in June, September – Kremlin

The first meeting will be in Lough Erne on the sidelines of the G8 Summit and then Obama’s visit to Russia.
Source: Ria.ru
20:15 | Region On Turkey's proposed alcohol restrictions

A look at legislation passed in Turkey's parliament early Friday that would ban all alcohol advertising and tighten restrictions on the sale of such beverages.
Source: ABC news
20:07 | In the world Explosion and gunfire shake Kabul

Afghan Channel One TV quoted police as saying a group of assailants had entered the Directorate of the Afghan Public Protection Force.
Source: BBC
20:00 | In the world Kerry says Israelis, Palestinians must make tough decisions

Israeli and Palestinian leaders must decide soon on whether to revive long-dormant peace negotiations to end their decades-old conflict.
Source: Reuters
19:01 | In the world Michel Platini renews call for 'sport police'

Uefa president Michel Platini has renewed his call for the establishment of a European sports police force to deal with match-fixing, hooliganism and doping.
Source: BBC Sport
18:34 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

The parties discussed issues related to the current stage of Karabakh peace process and future steps.
Source: presidential press service
18:19 | Armenia UAE ambassador presents credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan

Serzh Sargsyan and Saif Mohammed Abid al-Zaabi discussed ways of developing and furthering bilateral relations and cooperation in different fields of activity.
Source: presidential press service
17:38 | In the world Milan fans say 'no thanks to Seedorf'

A group of AC Milan fans were caught hanging up a banner outside the club's headquarters early on Friday to express their opposition to the prospect of former player Clarence Seedorf taking over the team.
Source: Gazzetta del Sud
16:51 | Armenia Andranik Matikozyan wins Metropolitan Chess Tournament

IM Andranik Matikozyan (Armenia) scored 7.5 points out of 10 to solely take first prize at the 27th Metropolitan Chess Tournament in Los Angeles.
Source: armchess.am
15:34 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan meets with President of European Civil Aviation Conference

President Sargsyan said Armenia appreciates the role of the European Civil Aviation Conference in developing and providing security to global and European aviation.
Source: presidential press service
15:10 | Armenia Armen Martirosyan: Russia punishes Armenia by increasing gas price

“Under such social conditions, the increase in gas price may cause social riot,” said the deputy chairman of Heritage party.
Source: Panorama.am
14:33 | Armenia Armenian parliament to host hearings on measures to eliminate hailstorm consequences

On May 23, the Armenian government approved measures to eliminate consequences of the May 12 hailstorm that caused damage to 46 communities in Armavir province.
Source: Panorama.am
14:12 | Armenia Levon Zurabyan: Authorities concealed information about increase in gas price

“On May 13, the Public Services Regulatory Commission received a bid on the increase in price for natural gas, with a contract stipulating that the new gas price entered into force on April 1,” the ANC member said.
Source: Panorama.am
12:50 | In the world Magnitude 8.2 earthquake strikes Russian Far East

The epicentre of the quake was located at a depth of 385 miles in the Sea of Okhotsk, 244 miles west of the nearest city, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Source: Reuters
12:40 | Armenia Worsening social situation contributes to emigration, Orinats Yerkir MP says

“The people in Armenia live in tough social conditions, and the increase in gas price and hail damage added to it,” Hovhannes Margaryan said.
Source: Panorama.am
12:14 | Armenia Social riot is brewing in Armenia, says Heritage MP

With the crisis deepening, it is inevitable that there will be a social riot and a revolution in Armenia, head of Heritage parliamentary faction Ruben Hakobyan told a parliamentary briefing.
Source: Panorama.am
11:11 | Armenia Republican MP against government program?

Although RPA voted for the government program, Republican MP Nahapet Gevorgyan, despite registering for the parliament session, did not participate in the voting.
Source: Zhamanak
10:12 | Armenia Governors of Kotayk, Syunik and Tavush to be dismissed in mid-June

Those to be dismissed include Kotayk governor Kovalenko Shahgaldyan, Syunik governor Suren Khachatryan and Tavush governor Armen Ghularyan.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
09:48 | Armenia Pan-Homenetmen Games to take place in Armenia

This year, the 9th Pan Homenetmen Games will be held in Yerevan, from July 27 to August 3.
Source: Asbarez.com
09:12 | In the world Second jewel theft strikes Cannes film festival

A necklace reportedly worth 1.9m euros (£1.6m) has been stolen during the Cannes film festival, in the second such theft to hit this year's event.
Source: BBC
09:04 | In the world Syrian opposition scrambles to save credibility ahead of peace talks

The Syrian opposition in exile met on Thursday to decide whether to attend a peace conference that the United States and Russia see as a crucial path to ending two years of civil war.
Source: Reuters
09:00 | In the world 5.7-magnitude earthquake shakes Northern California

There have been eight aftershocks ranging from 2.6-to-3.5-magnitude.
Source: AP
08:55 | In the world Bridge collapses in Washington state

An Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River in Washington has collapsed, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol said.
Source: CNN
08:50 | In the world UK names soldier killed in London

The soldier killed in an attack in London has been named as Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Source: BBC
08:47 | In the world Barack Obama defends 'just war' using drones

President Barack Obama has defended the use of drones in a "just war" of self-defence against deadly militants and a campaign that had made America safer.
Source: BBC
08:41 | Armenia Air temperature will go up

It will be partly cloudy after midday, but no precipitation is expected yet.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:53 | Region The Times: Story about loss of votes given for Russia at Eurovision puts Azerbaijan in very awkward situation

The foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan have temporarily postponed the "less urgent problems - like, the question of the border war between Azerbaijan and Armenia smoldering for "22-years," and have stressed that they will try to work together to resolve the crisis that had occurred during the "Eurovision," the British newspaper Times writes.
Source: The Times
22:00 | In the world UK Police: 2 more arrests linked to hacking death of british soldier in London

Source: ABC news
21:50 | In the world Boy Scouts of America set to vote on gay youth ban

The vote by more than 1,400 delegates comes amid intense lobbying by gay-rights activists and members of conservative organizations.
Source: Reuters
21:35 | In the world Uefa: New drug-testing plans and 10-match bans for racism

Uefa will retrospectively study 900 doping samples given since 2008 as it attempts to combat use of performance-enhancing drugs in European football.
Source: BBC
21:28 | In the world UK emergency committee meets after Muslim terrorists hack soldier to death

Prime Minister David Cameron says there are strong indications it was an act of terrorism.
Source: Fox News
21:20 | Armenia The sale by Russia of S-300 air defense systems to Syria would be “destabilizing” for the region

US Secretary State John Kerry said on Thursday.
Source: Ria.ru

12:35 14/08/2012 » In the world

"I recently came across an extremely significant Islamic document that severely criticizes Turks for using religion as a cover to killing Armenian Christians.

This rarely seen document is a Fatwa or religious decree issued in May 1909 by Grand Sheikh Salim al-Bishri of Egypt, condemning Turkish Muslims for massacring 30,000 Armenians in Adana, a major city in the Ottoman Empire.

Sheikh al-Bishri of Al-Azhar Mosque, leader of the Muslim world’s preeminent center of Islamic studies in Cairo, issued this Fatwa in order to counter the decree issued in April 1909 by a Turkish Mufti (religious leader), urging Turks to kill Armenians because “they were against Muslims and God.”

Upon seeing a passing reference to the Egyptian fatwa on the internet, I contacted Prof. Mohammed Rifaat al-Emam, an expert on Armenian history, whom I had met during a recent visit to Cairo. Dr. al-Emam kindly sent me the original Arabic text of this important religious document, excerpts of which are presented below in English translation for the first time:

“We have seen in local newspapers agonizing news and vile reports about Muslims of some Anatolian provinces of the Ottoman Empire attacking Christians and killing them brutally. We could not believe these reports and hoped that they were false, because Islam forbids aggression, oppression, bloodshed, and harming human beings -- Muslims, Christians and Jews alike.

Oh Muslims living in that region and elsewhere beware of actions prohibited by Allah in His Sharia [Islamic law] and spare the blood that Allah prohibited to spill and do not transgress on anyone since Allah does not like aggressors….

Your duty towards those who are allied with you, who entrusted their safety to you and who reside among you and next to you from Ahlul Dhimma [Jewish and Christian minorities protected under Islam], as imposed by Allah, is to uplift them as you would uplift yourselves, prevent them from what you prevent yourselves and your kinsfolk, make your strength their strength, make pride and prosperity out of your strength, and protect their monasteries and churches the way you protect your mosques and temples.

Whoever abuses their women, draws the sword on them, and oppresses them contradicts Muslims’ pledge to Allah, which is the obligation of Muslims.

Be informed that if what the public is hearing is true, then you have angered your Allah and did not satisfy your Prophet and the Sharia. You kept your Muslim brothers away from their religion, whose rejection became hideous by this heinous act, violating what is forbidden, and you let loose tongues of people ignorant of your religion to pronounce hideous words against all Muslims.
Then, hear some of what your Prophet said about conditions similar to what you are in today. He said: ‘He who kills an allied person [person joined with Islam by an agreement in order to give help and support] will not smell the fragrance of Paradise and if he smells it, that would be at a distance of 40 years.’ He also said: ‘A person who rejects a dhimmi [a person from Jewish and Christian minorities] will be whipped with flagella of fire on Judgment Day.’”

This document makes it amply clear that the Armenian massacres of 1909 and the subsequent Genocide of 1915 were not the result of religious conflict between Muslim Turks and Christian Armenians. The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar rightly condemned the Turks for the mass murder of Armenians, which was committed for racist Pan-Turkic -- not Pan-Islamic -- reasons, along with the intent of capturing Armenian lands and properties. The various Fatwas issued by Turkish Muftis (clerics) were intended to provoke fanatical Turkish mobs to attack and massacre innocent Armenians.

Sheikh al-Bishri’s 1909 Fatwa was further reinforced by the decree issued in 1917 by Al-Husayn Ibn Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, ordering all Muslims to defend Armenians and “provide everything they might need … because they are the Protected People of the Muslims about whom the Prophet Muhammad said: ‘Whoever takes from them even a rope, I will be his adversary on the day of Judgment.’”

In 2009, when Turkish Prime Minister Rejeb Erdogan stated that “Muslims don’t commit genocide,” he was only partly right. He should have said: “Good Muslims don’t commit genocide.” The leaders of the Young Turk Party who masterminded the Armenian Genocide in 1915 were not faithful Muslims, judging by the teachings of the Quran -- the Holy Book of Islam. They were simply criminals who used Islam as a convenient cover to carry out mass murder. The compassionate Fatwa of the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar still rings true today as the Muslim world celebrates the end of Ramadhan."

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier