UAE | Media

Fatwa debate takes centre stage

Speakers at media forum session call for an end to chaos created by edicts issued on satellite channels.

  • By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:14 May 11, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • A man listens to speakers at a session on 'satellite fatwas' at the eighth Arab Media Forum, in Dubai, on Monday.
  • Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News

Dubai: The advent of satellite channels in the Muslim World has in recent years led to a new phenomenon that brings together communication technology and religion.

Capitalising on the reach of satellite television, once considered forbidden by many hardline Muslims, a number of clerics have started to use the medium to issue religious edicts, or fatwas.

This has led to a debate as to who can or should be able to issue a fatwa amid an increase in the number of unconventional edicts that have confused, and at times incited Muslims.

The impact of 'satellite fatwas' was the topic of discussion at one of the sessions of the Arab media forum yesterday with religious scholars and media specialists debating at length on the ambit of such edicts.

There are currently 80 Islamic religious channels in the Arab Media industry, according to the Arab Media Forum.

Jameel Al Theyabi, managing editor of Al Hayat newspaper in charge of the section dealing with Saudi Arabia and GCC countries, said there were plans in Saudi Arabia to regulate fatwas by enacting new laws in view of the chaos created by the trend.

Commenting on the phenomenon, a member of the audience called it a "fatwa industry".

Some panelists said the TV channels had created a series of "religious celebrities", fundamentally altering the role clerics were expected to play.

While all panelists agreed that there was a need for laws regulating the issuance of fatwas, some speakers called for the interference of states in such matters to be kept to a minimum. "Why are people so concerned with religious channels?" said Ahmad Al Haddad, director of the Dubai Fatwa Administration. He argued that there was a need in this age to have "responsible" religious channels to guide the youth.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (3 votes) 5 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Media's negativity fixation 'must change'

    Media's negativity fixation 'must change'

    Amr Mousa urges Arab media to stop highlighting divisive news

  2. Is citizen journalism credible?

    Is citizen journalism credible?

    Is citizen journalism credible?

  3. Two-day Arab Media Forum begins in Dubai

    No need to set deadline for peace plan with Israel, says Amr Mousa

  4. 'Current issues can't be left behind'

    'Current issues can't be left behind'

  5. Experts attending Arab Media Forum

    Experts attending Arab Media Forum

    Experts attending forum to discuss crisis, changing trends in Arab media

More from UAE Media

  1. Entries for journalism award rise

  2. UAE press under pressure over the last year

  3. Expert highlights challenges faced by Arab media

  4. Coverage of financial crisis should have been better

All articles in Media

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Latest news
Your Pictures
Gallery

Your Pictures

XPRESS brings you a selection of the best reader pictures

Managing with less
Money

Managing with less

How to manage with less than Dh3,000 to spend every month

Fun encounters
Your Say

Fun encounters

What was the craziest way in which you made a friend?

Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather