Fatwa debate takes centre stage

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.