6 - 12 December 2001
Issue No.563
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 6 - 12 December 2001 Issue No.563 |
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Web watch
Online with the sheikh
The Arab world's most famous and certainly most popular Islamic scholar, Youssef Al-Qaradawi, knows how to make his presence felt in the virtual world. His Web site, Qaradawi.net, was launched as early as four years ago, not long after the Internet came to this part of the world.
www.qaradawi.net
The site, which is for all Muslims, but clearly leans toward Net-savvy Muslim youth, is a non-profit endeavour. According to the site's "Contribute to Promote the Site" section, the project depends on charity contributions, as it has no fixed financial resources. Al-Qaradawi's considerable popularity has managed to extend to the Internet world, with Qaradawi.net gaining international recognition. The site has been chosen one of the most popular Islamic Web sites on the Net for several years, and last month it was rated the third best Web site by Click, a popular IT show aired on an Abu Dhabi satellite channel. Heavy contenders "Islamonline.net" and "Islamweb" took the first and second spots respectively in the roughly 1,000-person vote. The publisher Al-Dar Al-Arabiya lil-Ulum (the Arabic House for Science), which publishes the Arabic version of Internet World Magazine, also awarded the site its readers' prize in 1997.
The first thing that meets the visitor here is a well-chosen Qur'anic verse that evidently expresses Al-Qaradawi's guiding principle of promoting a moderate and liberal form of Islam. The issue of the so-called dialogue of religions holds special significance in these post-11 September times and Qaradawi.net offers the results of a recent survey asking users to vote whether they feel that an informed dialogue is necessary.
Al-Qaradawi stresses the importance of such a dialogue, highlighting the positive aspects of an interchange between people and nations of all backgrounds, but not all his followers agree. In the opinion survey, conducted since early November and involving 471 participants, a strong majority (73 per cent) backed the dialogue, agreeing that this is how Islam has always conveyed its message. But nine per cent resisted endorsing the idea on the grounds that Muslims "might be obliged to give up some of their traditions." Another 17 per cent totally rejected the principle of dialogue arguing that "non-Muslim believers are Muslims' enemies." Few were of no opinion: only 1 per cent answered that they "don't know."
The site offers a number of interesting articles written by Al-Qaradawi, among them articles tackling controversial issues like the priorities of a Muslim according to Islamic jurisprudence. Al-Qaradawi goes so far as to say that instead of putting money into building a mosque or go on the haj (pilgrimage), Muslims should donate this money to support Palestinians fighting occupation and other struggles of Muslim populations, such as in Bosnia. Al-Qaradawi also calls on Muslims to boycott Israeli and American products in protest against Israeli aggression against Palestinians. One noteworthy article titled "Islamic Tools to Protect the Environment" explains the numerous methods set up by Islam to protect, develop and promote the environment, citing respect for the environment and legislative measures as crucial.
Al-Qaradawi returns to the issue of religious dialogue in an article titled "Filling the Gaps between Religions," in which he rejects arguments by some intellectuals that we should resolve the major differences among various faiths. This, he argues, is an "artificial endeavour" that would eventually weaken all faiths. Rather, he argues, it is a matter of dissolving the differences among believers of various faiths in accordance with the rules and values of each religion.
Al-Qaradawi seeks to dislodge fears about moderation in Islam, saying that enemies of Islam consider moderation more dangerous than radical and violent trends. He urges people to adopt a moderate and liberal Islamic mind-set, "because it is the strongest trend and the most durable." He adds, however, that it is important to resist an invasion of foreign philosophies, "imported morals" and non-religious methodologies that conflict with Islamic philosophy.
Al-Qaradawi's fatwas (religious edicts) are a key attraction on this site, where visitors can dig into a large archive of lectures and other pronouncements. One important fatwa is Al-Qaradawi's condemnation of using civilian planes to threaten people, an act he claims terrorises innocent people. The fatwa also denounces the 11 September attacks, but Al-Qaradawi does not approve of taking part in the US coalition against Afghanistan.
The fatwas are not all political, however. Other fatwas cover subjects like marrying non-Muslims, and even the debate about the children's game Pokemon, which Al-Qaradawi prohibits as a form of gambling. He even cites a similar view taken by a group of priests representing Brazilian churches to justify this point.
Qaradawi.net is built around the man himself, so it is no surprise that a full biography is included, relating his childhood and his activities today. A "News" section emphasises Al-Qaradawi's opinions on current events and notes that he has never said that Bin Laden should give himself up. He does, however, demand a fair international trial for the world's most wanted fugitive. The section also notes Al-Qaradawi's contribution to a donation campaign to help the Afghans and chronicles his visit to Rome in October to participate in the Islamic- Christian gathering there.
Marking Ramadan, the site offers audio recordings of Al-Qaradawi's speeches for tarawih prayers, special prayers during the holy month, and ahkam, religious edicts concerning fasting. Other issues covered are the zakat al-feter, the yearly alms dictated by Islamic law, and whether women have to attend tarawih prayers at the mosque. Additionally, Al-Qaradawi offers daily pages from his diary.
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