IUMS demands release of political leaders, urges dialogue and support for Djibouti
All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon God’s messenger, his family, companions and followers:
The International Union of Muslim Scholars has followed with extreme concern the fallout of the political unrest in Djibouti, situated in the east of the African Horn and member of the Arab League, where massive popular protests have erupted in the country.
Following the announcement of the results of elections held on February 22, 2013, the government was accused of forgery following which the government carried out a broad campaign of arrests among political opposition activists. In addition to forgery, the protesters expressed anger over the economic and development conditions in a country that is among the poorest worldwide where poverty rates have exceeded 70% despite its strategic location.
In light of this situation, and the latest agonizing developments, the IUMS confirms the following:
First: IUMS demands the Djibouti government to release political prisoners to avoid a deepening of political disagreements and evade broadening intractable social conflicts in a fellow Muslim country which we wish to grow and prosper and where we wish that all efforts and capacities will be directed towards building, and comprehensive national development.
Second: the union reminds the Djibouti government that the era of oppression and tightening freedom for nations has faded away to no return. We have seen how a number of Arab nations were freed from fear, have expelled oppressive tyrants and established a new democratic age that guarantees freedom, justice and equality to the people and unleashed the shackles and chains around the nation. The Djiboutian government should work towards these ends and exert all effort to unify the energies of the Djiboutian people to achieve comprehensive development for this country, and provide security and safety for everyone in order to prevent sedition and foreign intervention.
Third: the union urges the government and opposition to make all efforts to sit down on the table of dialogue to bring the country safely out of this crisis, to resort to the judiciary, and to undertake speedy investigations to quench this sedition.
Fourth: the union calls Arab and Muslim countries to support the Djiboutian people in order to establish firm security and stability in all the country’s corners and to assist them to rise out of this anguished poverty and achieve comprehensive development.
And from Allah is all aid!
{And say: "Work (righteousness): Soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger, and the Believers: Soon will you be brought back to the knower of what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the truth of all that you did."} [Quran 9:105]
Doha: 2 Jumada Al-Awwal 1434 H
Dated: 14 March 2013
Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President